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| The Trio |
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| Bad picture of me .. but the cutest little boy every named Angel. He's my bud. |
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| Me and my Crush |
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| Us looking up at the Temple |
Friday, September 27, 2013
Pictures
Week 23
Mom, it was the best day at church yesterday. Hermano Martinez came to church!!! It was a miracle. His wife has been a member for 25 years and he's come maybe twice for baby blessings of his grandkids. It was awesome. I just sat in sacrament meeting, between him and his wife, and his wife just like held my hand and wiped her tears the whole time during sacrament meeting. She has been praying for him and putting his name in the temple every single week for the last twenty years. I know that the Lord has been listening to her faith-filled prayers and that He answered them... finally! According to her faith. It was amazing! He really does always answer our prayers!
We also sang "I'll go where you want me to go" ... which STILL makes me cry. Haha. And our used-to-be less active friend, Jose (Like- he's our best friend, he calls us "Jose's angels" haha), talked about missionary work and how he was so excited to go on a mission. He finishes his papers this week! His testimony is so strong! It was just like- amazing to see how much the Lord has helped him to change in these last 6 months. Then we sang "God be with you til we meet again."
I was like - dang. Look at all these miracles that have happened in this area. Look at how much good has been done! Someone's getting transferred, that was way too good of a Sunday to not have someone get transfered.
Well guess what?
I'M GETTING TRANSFERRED!!! haha.
Crazy... I'm really excited! And a little nervous! But I know it's the Lord's will and that He's really aware of me and what He's doing. I'll let you know what's going to happen! But don't have anyone send any letters here to MoCity anymore :)
Okay, to answer your questions :) We eat with members maybe probably 4 or 5 times a week, they feed us good here! One of our investigators we hadn't seen for a while told me and hermana Kennedy that we were getting fatter. hahah. It's all the tortillas! Missouri City is kinda like- South Jordan... it's got a lot of shopping places and is suburbia for sure. I lived in a really really really nice apartment. Most of the people we teach live in Fresno, TX though- you can google earth it it's kinda small and a little ghetto. But it was so much fun and I'm going to miss it so much!
The man that's getting deported ... I have no idea!! He's been in jail for a year. So it'll be a blessing for his family to see him again soon.
So yeah... something that my testimony grew of this week was the enabling power of the Atonement. Just looking back on all the times in my life (not to mention my mission) that I didn't feel like I was enough or I felt that my weaknesses kept me from blessings- I look back at it, and the Savior made it all enough. The Atonement. That He came not only to rescue us from the effects of the fall after this life- but during this life as well. His grace is suffiecient! I'm just excited to give it my all this next transfer, do my best to help whoever I can, even with the language barrier, even though I'm not even close to perfect or "good enough" I know that He'll make me enough. I'm so excited to see what's going to happen!!
Anyway, I love you! Know that you are always in my prayers! And keep praying for the things that you need, even if you don't know how it's possible how the Lord can give it to you, He always does! And it's always in the perfect timing that's best for us! I know that the Lord loves us so much!
Love you siempre!
Hermana Johnson
Week 22
Okay, balaldhaiolepsha!
(Imagine me being excited about writing you... I'm freaking out)
Such a great week! My first baptism is coming up in about 12 days! His name is Quique, he's 9. He's the best! His family was inactive for a while but now they're super active and amazing. I'll send you pictures when it happens. :)
So once upon a time I lost my nametag (don't worry I have two) and yesterday we went and looked for it where I thought I lost it and lo and behold one of our investigators was outside and was like "Hey! Are ya'll looking for something!?" and then we were able to teach him a lesson, which he needed! His name is Leo... he's about 30 and he's really funny. He kinda acts like he's drunk all the time... but I think his brain is just fried from things he did when he was younger... I don't know what it is. But his wife is GOLDEN and she knows the church is true -she's got the light in her eyes- but they aren't married. So Leo's like "Listen I want to keep the commandments but I don't know what they all are" so we're like "Hey, this is why we're here!" so we taught about commandments.... the ten and like- reading in your scriptures everyday or go to church every week and then we told him that being married is a commandment. And so he was like "Okay, I'm going to ask my wife to marry me then" (That sounds kinda funny... but it's something we hear a lot. haha) So cool!
Mom! There's this sister that moved here that's just like you! Oh my gosh. She's just a young mom and amazing and inspiring and she has so much faith. She and her husband used to live in Utah but her husband is getting deported to Mexico soon and it is really hard for her but her faith isn't even shaken at all. She is amazing. We taught them about Pedro (o sea Peter) walking on water and the faith that we need. And she was just like "Kids, what's faith?" and they shouted off random answers and she was like "faith is knowing that good things will happen. Like how we will be with daddy again." It reminded me of you. I hope I can be a stong woman like you and that woman one day.
Okay other cool story. Today after the temple we went to a little Gales! They have the same ancient computers and everything! I was like "Mi Hogar!" But there was this mom and her son there and I overheard "Mission, Provo Utah." So I went and talked to them and turns out he was leaving to the MTC today! To speak spanish in the Provo Utah mission! I was like "You're going to love it! Everyone is so nice there!" and then we just told the mom that the Lord takes care of families while the missionaries are gone, that they're so blessed, and the mom started crying! It was just cool to be there and to just help her out a little bit. I've been praying to know how I can help in this work, and that was just a cool little answer to a prayer to be able to comfort that mom a little bit.
I just love you guys so much.
Anyway, I'm going to send you some pictures! Thank you for all your prayers and support. I can feel them! I love you so much and I know that the Lord is aware of us always in every situtation! We can always pray to him!
Love you!
Hermana Johnson
Week 21
Hey mom and family and whoever this email is sent to :)
This week was AMAZING. Something that my MTC teacher said that's stuck with me is "I saw miracles every day on my mission, and sometimes that miracle was in myself."
How true it is! I've learned so much this week.
A. That the Lord KNOWS WHAT HE'S DOING and I just need to calm down and trust Him.
I don't know if I've told you this, but I used to HATE (Okay... just be annoyed) of the song "Sweet Hour of Prayer" because in high school seminary that's all that anyone seemed to know, but now I love it. I love the part "believe His word and trust His grace" I feel like that's like- missionary work right there. Just believe Him, God doesn't lie, and trust that despite all your insecurities or weaknesses that His grace is sufficient. This is His work and He's promised that He won't leave us alone to do it.
B. "How great is the joy of the soul that repenteth!"
So like- sometimes I have this inner battle with myself, not going to lie sometimes I feel real triste (sad... spanish :)) and this week it just came to me to ask God what I need to change, what commandments I'm not keeping and how I can be happier. And He told me. Haha. But it's like- awesome! I think we talk about repentence as a bad thing but all it is is changing and getting closer to God. And as we purify our hearts and are closer to God, there's so much real peace and joy that comes from it. I teach that all the time, but it was cool to like- see it from personal experience.
C. "Be ye not weary, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work"
The Lord promises that as we sow good, we reap good. And sometimes we don't see the reap, but it's always there. It's an act of faith sometimes, because we really don't see the harvest. But I know that everytime we put forth the effort to do good, God notices and He blesses us and those we are trying to help.
D. "Before ye seek for riches, seek ye the kingdom of God"
Nuf said.
Anyway, I just feel really blessed. I took time to read the Book of Mormon and I was like to my companions "Have you read this book!? It's a really good book!" haha. But seriously! It like- leads you straight to Christ. It's His book. I know it's His word, and this is His church. A marvalous work is happening among the children of men!
We had so many miracles happen this week. We went to Sonya Garsca's house right after she had a fight with her daugher in law... long story but a pretty traumatic experience, and I know the Lord sent us there at that time to help her because she needed it. Hermano Martinez READ WITH US FROM THE BOOK OF MORMON. That man refused to even look at it a few months ago and now he's reading it with us. We have a lil nine year old in a family that hasn't been baptized because his dad hasn't felt worthy, and I watched him take the sacrament yesterday and it's been a long time. We taught that lady that cried about her father last week about the plan of Salvation and felt the Spirit testify as we told her that no matter what happens in this life it's because God has a plan for her and wants her and her family to be saved and come back to live with Him. My companion and I may or may not have gotten in a little bit of an argument last week, and the Lord sent my other companion on exchanges the next day so her and I could talk, fix the problem, and see how much we had in common and how much we could help each other. Miracles have not ceased! And Angels are ever present.
I know Jesus Christ lives, I know that God answers prayers in His own time and in His own way. I know that God loves us so much and does everything He does for our eternal welfare and happiness. I know that families are forever, that because of Jesus Christ, death is not the end. I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH! Thank you for who you are and what you do. The church is true!!!
Con Amor,
Hermana Johnson
Week 20
Okay, man, I don't even know where to start!
We had exchanges TWICE this week... usually it's only supposed to happen once a week but this week I got to spend a little time with both of my companions alone in our area while the other one left.
Something that like- blows my mind mom and that I believe with all my heart but I don't quite understand is how much the Lord truely knows us, and how willing He is to fix our mistakes and how no matter how fallen we are He helps us overcome.
For example, we have a part-member family... the non-member is the husband (which happens a lot actually), Hermano Analla. He's like the most shy timid little thing in the world but one of the must humble men I've ever met. His wife got converted in UTAH when she went and visited her daughter for like- a month. Well now her daughter has to move here because her husband is getting deported and she wants to move closer to the border so she can go visit him. We keep feeling like she moved here to help her family (Hno Analla) find the gospel. I'm like "Would God do that? Would he make things work out the way they have so much because He loves Hermano Analla- that timid man that doesn't think he's very much- and he wants him to come back to Him. He wants Him to have the gospel. Would He do that just for Him? He loves him that much?"
And I think about it- yes! He gave His whole life. I honestly can't wrap my head around it. I'm praying to understand the deepness and intimacy of His love for us. 2 Nefi 26:24.
So this week I got to go to a quincenera... (I don't know if that's how you spell it) but it's a big party that Hispanics have when they turn 15. We went to one of our less active's family... she's the best! We took a picture with a mariatchi band and everything. I was in Hispanic Heaven!
Yesterday we went to Hermano Analla's house for Labor Day and had corn with mayonase and cheese! I know. It sounds like the grossest thing in the world but it was the BEST! They had all their family over- like their 20 grandkids and their 3 daughters or daughters-in-law but it was so much fun! I was like- this is almost a Labor-day BBQ! Whoot!
The members are KILLING IT! We had a member family invite US over to their house to teach their friends. We're like - what is this!? The best! There was this little black kid named Jaden that just walked in and was so cute with all the hispanics. He's like "I know spanish- I can count to ten. Como estas?" It was so funny! But we taught them about the Plan of Salvation and the spirit was really strong! I know that the Lord is preparing them.
I actually had a lot of opportunities to bear testimony of the Plan of Salvation this week. To a lady who lost her father and didn't even get to say goodbye to him. Who feels like it was just yesterday that he left. She just started crying. It was cool to be able to teach her a little and to help her find the comfort that comes from the gospel.
Something else that I've come to realize is the power and the importance of the Spirit. It is literally almost a physical presence that you can feel. I know that when we follow His promtings that we not only bless ourselves and increase our faith- but more importantly we bless the lives of others and God gives us the chance to be an answer to their prayers.
I guess more things I'm learning is that charity is the most important- and everything kinda comes after that. Like- everything just comes. You can "by the book" have charity, or you can have charity and then play it by the book. It works a lot better to have charity first. I think that's why it's the greatest commandment.
Well, Love you! Thanks for everything!
Hermana Johnson
We had exchanges TWICE this week... usually it's only supposed to happen once a week but this week I got to spend a little time with both of my companions alone in our area while the other one left.
Something that like- blows my mind mom and that I believe with all my heart but I don't quite understand is how much the Lord truely knows us, and how willing He is to fix our mistakes and how no matter how fallen we are He helps us overcome.
For example, we have a part-member family... the non-member is the husband (which happens a lot actually), Hermano Analla. He's like the most shy timid little thing in the world but one of the must humble men I've ever met. His wife got converted in UTAH when she went and visited her daughter for like- a month. Well now her daughter has to move here because her husband is getting deported and she wants to move closer to the border so she can go visit him. We keep feeling like she moved here to help her family (Hno Analla) find the gospel. I'm like "Would God do that? Would he make things work out the way they have so much because He loves Hermano Analla- that timid man that doesn't think he's very much- and he wants him to come back to Him. He wants Him to have the gospel. Would He do that just for Him? He loves him that much?"
And I think about it- yes! He gave His whole life. I honestly can't wrap my head around it. I'm praying to understand the deepness and intimacy of His love for us. 2 Nefi 26:24.
So this week I got to go to a quincenera... (I don't know if that's how you spell it) but it's a big party that Hispanics have when they turn 15. We went to one of our less active's family... she's the best! We took a picture with a mariatchi band and everything. I was in Hispanic Heaven!
Yesterday we went to Hermano Analla's house for Labor Day and had corn with mayonase and cheese! I know. It sounds like the grossest thing in the world but it was the BEST! They had all their family over- like their 20 grandkids and their 3 daughters or daughters-in-law but it was so much fun! I was like- this is almost a Labor-day BBQ! Whoot!
The members are KILLING IT! We had a member family invite US over to their house to teach their friends. We're like - what is this!? The best! There was this little black kid named Jaden that just walked in and was so cute with all the hispanics. He's like "I know spanish- I can count to ten. Como estas?" It was so funny! But we taught them about the Plan of Salvation and the spirit was really strong! I know that the Lord is preparing them.
I actually had a lot of opportunities to bear testimony of the Plan of Salvation this week. To a lady who lost her father and didn't even get to say goodbye to him. Who feels like it was just yesterday that he left. She just started crying. It was cool to be able to teach her a little and to help her find the comfort that comes from the gospel.
Something else that I've come to realize is the power and the importance of the Spirit. It is literally almost a physical presence that you can feel. I know that when we follow His promtings that we not only bless ourselves and increase our faith- but more importantly we bless the lives of others and God gives us the chance to be an answer to their prayers.
I guess more things I'm learning is that charity is the most important- and everything kinda comes after that. Like- everything just comes. You can "by the book" have charity, or you can have charity and then play it by the book. It works a lot better to have charity first. I think that's why it's the greatest commandment.
Well, Love you! Thanks for everything!
Hermana Johnson
Week 19
Dearest Motherly Mother,
Well, crazy week. I got to cut down a tree with a machette, got chased by a dog, ate cow intestines (tripe), and Los Martinez (The temple worker and her non-member husband) told us that they were going to take a road trip to see us in Utah. My life is pretty complete.
Alright, so, we have these investigators Los Torres whose tree fell down during the "Sister Storm Chasers" storm. (You just want to hear my voice huh? That's why you want me to send you that video! I'm on to you! ... Love you :)) and so we went and cut the tree out of the road with Machettes. And then we ate pizza. In P-day clothes. It was like the best day ever.
The cool thing that I was going to tell you last week was that we went on exchanges with another Sister that didn't know much spanish (it was actually Hermana Watkin's MTC companion, Hermana Florence. She's been having some health problems and served her last area in English because of it). The gift of tongues happened! It was awesome. Also, the tender mercies of the Lord, because out of the three lessons we had in Spanish, in two of them someone showed up that spoke both languages fluently and could help us when we were struggling. Uh-Maz-Ing. The Lord's hand really is in this work. And the cool thing is that the people kept commitments! It's like we're these little struggling-with-the-language pretty-new little missionaries and it was awesome to see the Grace of God work with us by letting the Spirit work with these people dispite our weaknesses. I think I'm gaining a testimony of that every day. It helps me a lot to not be so scared and as I focus on these people, and who they really are, and who's their Father, then it's not so hard and it's not so scary. It's the work of the Lord, and when He calls us, He qualifies us. It's still a learning-in-progress thing, but my testimony of it is growing every single day.
The movement is to work with members! I love it! It's so much more effective. And we've been loving and serving our members SO MUCH and they're doing SO GREAT. I'll let you know how that is going. I can feel like we're on the brink of greatness in this area.
Alright, I better close for now. Love you! Thanks for the email I loved it! Tell Brant good luck at school!
Love you!
Hermana Johnson
Well, crazy week. I got to cut down a tree with a machette, got chased by a dog, ate cow intestines (tripe), and Los Martinez (The temple worker and her non-member husband) told us that they were going to take a road trip to see us in Utah. My life is pretty complete.
Alright, so, we have these investigators Los Torres whose tree fell down during the "Sister Storm Chasers" storm. (You just want to hear my voice huh? That's why you want me to send you that video! I'm on to you! ... Love you :)) and so we went and cut the tree out of the road with Machettes. And then we ate pizza. In P-day clothes. It was like the best day ever.
The cool thing that I was going to tell you last week was that we went on exchanges with another Sister that didn't know much spanish (it was actually Hermana Watkin's MTC companion, Hermana Florence. She's been having some health problems and served her last area in English because of it). The gift of tongues happened! It was awesome. Also, the tender mercies of the Lord, because out of the three lessons we had in Spanish, in two of them someone showed up that spoke both languages fluently and could help us when we were struggling. Uh-Maz-Ing. The Lord's hand really is in this work. And the cool thing is that the people kept commitments! It's like we're these little struggling-with-the-language pretty-new little missionaries and it was awesome to see the Grace of God work with us by letting the Spirit work with these people dispite our weaknesses. I think I'm gaining a testimony of that every day. It helps me a lot to not be so scared and as I focus on these people, and who they really are, and who's their Father, then it's not so hard and it's not so scary. It's the work of the Lord, and when He calls us, He qualifies us. It's still a learning-in-progress thing, but my testimony of it is growing every single day.
The movement is to work with members! I love it! It's so much more effective. And we've been loving and serving our members SO MUCH and they're doing SO GREAT. I'll let you know how that is going. I can feel like we're on the brink of greatness in this area.
Alright, I better close for now. Love you! Thanks for the email I loved it! Tell Brant good luck at school!
Love you!
Hermana Johnson
Week 18
Well snap, I spent all this time studying on how to strengthen the family and there you go and change the subject on me! How's school? You're in the ticket booth? What does that mean? Haha. I just imagine you in a little booth outside of the school waving at people. Haha.
The weather is crazy! We had a lightning storm this week where we had to park and stop for a while and wait for the storm to pass. But we made a movie called "The Sister Storm Chasers" ... hahaha. So great.
This has been maybe one of my favorite weeks on my mission so far! So many miracles. Like- and I just tried not to be afraid. I'm not perfect at it. I get really nervous and really worried really easy. But I just tried to "cast all my cares on the Lord" and just have a willing heart. And miracles happened!
So much happened this week! So much. So last monday we went and visited a member ... that doesn't go to our ward but goes to a different one... long story... anyway, she was like "So my neighbor's daughter died. Ya'll should go see her." We're like "Of course." She's like "How about right now!?" We're like "Uh... okay. How about you come with us!?" Haha. So we went across the street and knocked on the door and this black couple answered the door. Ugh- it just kills me and brings back painful memories to see the pain in their eyes. You know? Anyway the wife was like "I always have time for the word of the Lord." We took our little seats out on their deck and just talked to her... mostly just let her talk to us. And here we have our member- who only speaks spanish- and this lady, who only speaks english. It was the cutest thing to see them interact. Lillian (the wife) would like- sideways glance at her with her eyebrows raised and be like "Comprende?" and our member Sonya would be like "Si... mostly." And then Sonya asked if she could make tamalies. She's like "You like tomalies?" and Lillian would smile and say "I LOVE tomalies. You can make them some for me anytime." It was just the cutest thing in the world, I don't know if I'm discribing it really well. But even though they didn't speak the same language the love between those two friends was so strong. That Sonya wanted to help her even though they can barely communicate. It made me want to be a better person, care about the words I speak less and just show Christ-like charity. So great.
Another miracle that happened this week! Exchanges. My "younger" companion and I went with Hermana Florence.
Okay. I'mma finish this in a sec. Is that okay? I'll send it to you in two parts. :) Love you!
Hermana Johnson
The weather is crazy! We had a lightning storm this week where we had to park and stop for a while and wait for the storm to pass. But we made a movie called "The Sister Storm Chasers" ... hahaha. So great.
This has been maybe one of my favorite weeks on my mission so far! So many miracles. Like- and I just tried not to be afraid. I'm not perfect at it. I get really nervous and really worried really easy. But I just tried to "cast all my cares on the Lord" and just have a willing heart. And miracles happened!
So much happened this week! So much. So last monday we went and visited a member ... that doesn't go to our ward but goes to a different one... long story... anyway, she was like "So my neighbor's daughter died. Ya'll should go see her." We're like "Of course." She's like "How about right now!?" We're like "Uh... okay. How about you come with us!?" Haha. So we went across the street and knocked on the door and this black couple answered the door. Ugh- it just kills me and brings back painful memories to see the pain in their eyes. You know? Anyway the wife was like "I always have time for the word of the Lord." We took our little seats out on their deck and just talked to her... mostly just let her talk to us. And here we have our member- who only speaks spanish- and this lady, who only speaks english. It was the cutest thing to see them interact. Lillian (the wife) would like- sideways glance at her with her eyebrows raised and be like "Comprende?" and our member Sonya would be like "Si... mostly." And then Sonya asked if she could make tamalies. She's like "You like tomalies?" and Lillian would smile and say "I LOVE tomalies. You can make them some for me anytime." It was just the cutest thing in the world, I don't know if I'm discribing it really well. But even though they didn't speak the same language the love between those two friends was so strong. That Sonya wanted to help her even though they can barely communicate. It made me want to be a better person, care about the words I speak less and just show Christ-like charity. So great.
Another miracle that happened this week! Exchanges. My "younger" companion and I went with Hermana Florence.
Okay. I'mma finish this in a sec. Is that okay? I'll send it to you in two parts. :) Love you!
Hermana Johnson
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