Week 53: 04/28/14

Sidewalk Chalk Plan of Salvation

Seriously one of the most fun lessons we've ever had.

That's us with Sarai, Sergio, and Kelly :) They're artists!!

Ana's Baptism! I love this family!

Dearest Everybody,
Wow, what a week. The Lord blessed us a BUNCH. I think one of the main things I've learned on my mission is that "Everything unfair about life will be made right through the Atonement of Jesus Christ." I think I'm just coming to really realize what that means. More on that later.
So Ana was baptized this week!!! She's so great. Seriously. And she was SO Happy at her baptism. The night before we were talking about it, and it just made me think what a miracle it is that every sin can be forgiven though Christ. And what a miracle that Ana's past is redeemed. Seriously, everything in her past is gone, she's changed. She's new. It's a new start and a new life. "Have miracles ceased!?"
The service was great. Our ward mission leader commented that more people came to the baptism than came to church on Sunday. haha. It was really good, and everything went smoothly (except President Ashton called us before it- which NEVER happens unless you're training or somebody died. But he just asked us if we could take some returned missionaries out with us this week- I'm super excited for that). I'm just grateful that Heavenly Father let us be a small part in that miracle.
Another miracle. Uhm.. so last Wednesday I was dying. Just one of those "missions are hard" moments, because we really don't have many people to teach right now, and people are dropping us like cow pies (haha... just kidding... but really), and so I was kinda just really stressed. We were out just trying some people, and we saw this cute Hispanic couple in their back yard. Hna Olson was like "We should go talk to them". So I reluctantly agreed cuz I was feeling really discouraged. Anyway, we started talking to them and they brought us seats and waters and just sat and listened. No joke, they are seriously some of the most prepared people I've ever met. They totally understood the restoration, totally accepted baptism, they are legit. It was seriously a tender mercy from the Lord.
Miracle #17- I went and talked to President this week, kinda like "President, what do we do for our vineyard?" And he suggested to us to pray with the people we talk to. Just to offer to pray with everyone. So ... we did!!! We knocked on the door of this former investigator, and told her who we were. She told us it wasn't a good time because her daughter was meeting her new nurse. She has to get fed through a feeding tube and her mom had to make sure it was all being done right. So we're like "Okay, that's okay. Could we pray with you before we leave?" And so we just prayed that her daughter would be okay, and that the nurse would know how to help her, and that the lady would know the reason behind all the trials they were going through. And then just said, okay, we'll come back another day. And just seeing the lady's expression as we left... man, something I'll never forget. I think she just like- could feel the Love of the Lord, and it was really cool.
Anyway, like I said, I know that everything unfair can be made right through the Atonement. Often, it's in this life, the things that we don't understand or are hard, are made clear later on. Or we go through a period of really hard times, really hard trials, and later experience even more joy because we faithfully pushed through it. But even somethings won't be made right until the next life "Some blessings come soon, some come late, and some come in the next life. But for those that embrace the Gospel of Jesus Christ- they come." I've seen it countless times on my mission, and in my life. I know that God is our merciful, loving Heavenly Father, who loves us more than we can imagine. I know that even though things are crazy hard, they will be better the next day. I know the Atonement of Jesus Christ is real, and it was done for imperfect people, aka ALL OF US. We can't make it to heaven on sheer grit. We literally need our Savior. And as we come to Him with full purpose of heart, he can and will heal us. Because He wants to, and because He loves us.
Les quiero,
Hermana Johnson


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Week 51: 04/14/14

Hey!!!
This one's going to be short, sorry!! But you know, something's better than nothing!
Ana Platero is pumped to get baptized! Even at Sunday in Sunday School, we had a discussion that made me sweat a little bit, but she's still holdin strong! I'm so excited for her! She's really great.
We have a really cool less active kid that we went and taught. And... He showed up to a church activity for the first time in a long time. Thursday night soccer! I was called to serve in this branch to play soccer, I swear. I love it a ton. He had a lot of fun. I have huge dreams for him. I'm thinking mission, temple marriage. I'm thinking really far ahead though, he's still got a long way, but he's so cool! He didn't come to church cuz his friend invited him to another church, where the guy from Duck Dynasty was going to give the sermon. I'm like "Mmmm... can't argue with that!" Haha. Next week.
Thursday we went on exchanges and Hermana Steenblik came to my area, she was MTC comps with my last comp, so she's been out 2 more transfers than I have. A MIRACLE HAPPENED. I was like "Hey, we could go try this house that someone gave us as a referral." And the guy opens the door, and just comes out and starts talkin to us! His name is Edward, he's 22, he loves soccer and eating healthy, and he's on a Spiritual journey for truth. Dah! It was so cool. We taught him the Restoration, and at the end he prayed "Father, please help me to find the truth, your truth, no lies. I'm so grateful to have started this journey." Dah, he's so cool!! He loved it. And he's coming to play soccer this Thursday. Like I said, that's why I'm in this branch. Haha.
Saturday was really fun too. We decided to switch it up a little bit, so we put on our service clothes and went out and just offered service. So my area is like 70% black people, aka we didn't find any Hispanics. BUT! We did talk to a lot of wonderful people. I LOVE BLACK PEOPLE. They are seriously the coolest. We just would walk up to them and they'd be all "Whaddu want?" And we're like "Well, we're from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and today we're out looking for people we can serve, just like Jesus Christ would do. Is there anything we can do for you?" And their countenance would change and they'd be like "Oh, that is so nice!!" We raked some leaves, helped people with some clothes, and asked for referrals. "There is a nice Hispanic family right over there and I'm sure they would looove to meet ya'll." It was super fun. "Are ya'll Mormons?" Haha. Yes!!! So great.
I know that the church is true!!!!!! I know that God loves us, no matter what. I know that we can repent and be forgiven of our sins, through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I know that He is infinitely merciful, and that He always has his arms opened to welcome us back in. I know that the truth of God exists here on the earth, and that anyone can find it as they search, ponder, pray, and wait on the Lord. I know that when we are in the service of our fellow beings, we're in the service of our God.

Love ya'll!!!! Para siempre!
Hermana Johnson



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Week 50: 04/07/14

So! This week. We saw some miracles!!

CONFERENCE WAS AWESOME!! I just loved like- every single talk and everything they talked about. Storms are a comin!!

K, let me update you on our people.

Ana Platero is doing great, she's so excited to be baptized. We went and taught her keep the sabbath day holy this week and she totally understood, she can't go to church sometimes cuz her son has down syndrome and she has to take care of him, but she said once the weather stops being weird she will come to church every sunday. So cool.

Also! I know I haven't told you about her, I don't think, but we have an investigator that I LOVE named Alba. She's like a cute little mom that LOVES God. I love talking with people that love God. Anyway, the last time we saw her we explained the reason for baptism and extended a date for the third of May. She excepted, then she told us that she wanted to talk to her husband first before she made any decisions. We're like- okay that's good. Anyway, we come back this week and she was pretty much like "I don't want to get baptized anymore. I like my church better cuz they have a band and ya'll just have a piano. I've appreciated you all coming over, but I don't want to waste your time because I know that there are other people that need to hear this message."

Oh my gosh, we were praying so hard!!!

We're pretty much like "Okay, can we share one last message with you?" She's like "Of course!!" So we shared Alma 32:21 and explained how we needed to have faith in things that were true in order to have true faith. And then we taught her the restoration, about Prophets, and Christ and His Church, and the Spirit was SO STRONG. She told us she believed in profetas and that the Lord guided his church that way. And then we're like "But He still does!!" And taught her about Jose Smith and the Priesthood and the Book of Mormon. And she totally got it. It seriously was like a change of heart in an hour, and she could totally feel it. She said she still wants time, but she wanted us to keep coming back so she could learn more. The Lord seriously gave us the words to say, it was one of the most clear, powerful lessons I've taught my whole mission. Suuuuper cool. Miracles.

We also had a few disappointments. Went to see Carmen with a member and she was. Super drunk. Haha. We went to her kitchen and saw a huge bottle of Vodka. We think she's got Dimensia (How do you spell that?) and depression, and for that she drinks and then thinks that she's sick. Pretty sure she might not really have cancer. Anyway, we went back another day, got a garbage sack and threw away all her coffee and her vodka bottle (which by that time was empty... whoops.) SHe's crazy but I still love her. We'll see how things go with her.

It's crazy how the things you think about like - almost always end up in conference. Did that happen to you? To me, I've just been thinking about people that have really influenced me both in my life and on the mission. And honestly, it's been the people that have lived the gospel. That have lifted up the hands that hang down and strengthened the feeble knees. I'm so grateful for both the missionaries and the members, (and sometimes random strangers) that have stood as witnesses of Christ, that have literally been His hands in my life. It was kinda a combination of Elder Bednar and Elder Scott's talks that influenced me so much. That as we keep our covenants, we become more then we could be on our own. And that as we love others, their confidence in the Lord's love increases. It's been something that's been on my mind all week, the people that have helped me more than they even know and it's just because they've been trying to keep baptismal covenants, and love, and serve. It's seriously my deepest prayer that I can be that for somebody, someday, and help them realize how much the Lord is really there, aware, and loves unconditionally.

Love you all!! The Church is True!!
Hermana Johnson

Week 49: 03/31/14

Hey ya'll,
This week started off with miracles seriously every single day. Like I said, Hermana Olsen and I have just been choosing to have faith and the Lord has seriously blessed us so much.
Okay, but I have a story for you first. Remember Carmen, the lady I met my first week here and said she's like a little bit crazy? Well she is, (I think it's due to years of alcoholism and a really bad coma she had recently), but I seriously love her so much. Like, seriously.
Anyway, we went over to her house on ... Tuesday I think it was? And her fence was locked. So I just no shame climbed over it in my skirt. The things you do on a mission.... Haha. It'd just been a really long time since we've seen her and I felt really strongly that we needed to try and see her that day. She opened the door and she was like "hey, how'd you get here?" And I was like "I jumped the fence." And she just laughed. We all sat down and started chatting, and out of nowhere she says "Hermanitas, I have cancer." And then just started bawling. And just told us how she went to the doctor, and she has it in her stomach, and that he told her that there wouldn't be a cure and he wasn't sure how long she'd live. So we just cried with her and testified of God's love. She said through her tears that she was glad that we were there and that I had jumped the fence. She told us she was just really worried about how she was going to pay for the bills cuz her job is fixing lawn mowers and it puts her in so much pain to do it. We told her that we would bring over our Branch President and he would give her a blessing and maybe talk to her about helping get her bills paid.
The next day we walked with her to the clinic (cuz she can't drive) and it seriously killed her to walk. She told us like- her life story about how the love of her life left her for her sister, which kinda explains the alcoholism, and she said, with the bravest face ever, "That's why I'm so grateful for you missionaries, you show me the love I never had. Ya'll give me the strength to go on." It was about a mile to the clinic and it was so hard for her. It was hard for me too, kinda gave me flashbacks of Dad and how hard that was for him. And he still had a car and he still had us. She literally has no one, and no car.
Anyway, Saturday we went with Branch President. I think he was a little stressed cuz his son was getting married that afternoon, and so he was kinda rushed. But like seriously- it did not go as planned. I mean, as I said, Carmen literally is crazy- but like the innocent little kid kinda crazy- So I don't know if she's over reacting, I'm not exactly sure what really is wrong with her, but I know she's really sick. We went in and she was shaking... and there was throw up on the floor. Anyway, President started talking to her and basically said "It's all in your head, just rub some dirt on it. If you think you're going to die, you will. But if you just think positively, you'll be fine." And then he just gave her a half hearted blessing and left.
And seriously, Carmen, as innocent as she is was like- so grateful, and when she talked to him about money President was like "You sell fish? I'll buy some." She's like "No, I'll give you some for what you've done for me." Like seriously- the sweetest little thing ever.
So on Branch Council on sunday we talk about our investigators a little bit. We were last to go, and so we talked about a few people and saved Carmen for last. We're just like "She lives at home, she's really sick, and lonely, and it'd be really nice if people could go visit her." And then President looks at us and says "She's a big liar. She was just giving out like fifty lies. If she can't drive how does she have three cars? If she sells fish how does she get to Galveston?" And he just went off. I think he thought she was just drunk. And then the Young Men's president said "It's cuz she's a little 'mal'" (Meaning she's like mentally special) he was like "My wife took her to church last time and she just has a hard time remembering things. She's just not all the way there." And President totally turned around. He was pretty much like "Oh. Well you missionaries are doing a good work, helping out someone like her. Me and my wife will visit her tomorrow." And I just started to cry. We left and the Relief Society President was sitting in the foyer and she was like "Why are you crying? Do I need to give someone a pow-pow?" And I just laughed, then I sat next to her and just cried in her shoulder like a twelve-year-old. I don't know why, I just love her so much and I'm just so worried about her and I think it's something close to home you know. I just never think it should be a bad thing to love someone and to care for them- and I just felt helpless like she wasn't going to get the help she needed and the branch wasn't going to do anything. But it's good now. I seriously haven't cried like that for a long time. But we've got it figured out, and I think she'll be okay. Keep her in your prayers.
Miracle! We had this lesson with this lady that the sisters had been teaching FOREVER and for some reason or another never got baptized. Anyway, we had this lesson about the Atonement with her, and it was not going well. It was just all over the place and just- distracted and not good. So Ana (that's her name) starts talking about how much faith she has and she was like "you know I'm going to get baptized in your church right? I'm just going to wait til after my trip." Which she doesn't get back from her trip until almost June so we were like, snap, that's a long time. We told her about the gift of the Holy Ghost, and testified, and she was like "Well, I want that before my trip. I guess I'll get baptized in April!" We walked out of that lesson like "What just happened?" It was so cool how the Lord just changed her heart, and helped us to know what she needed to hear.
Anyway, sorry about my long story. It's been a super good week, we have a lot of people that are really awesome and I hope they stay on the path that will lead them to baptism. I know the Lord has his hand stretched out to every single person, no matter what. And I know that He loves every single one of us, no matter what. He's willing to help us, and He gives us the tender mercies when we need them. I'm so grateful for that knowledge, and I'm grateful to be a member and a missionary in His restored church.
CONFERENCE THIS WEEK!!!! I'm so PUMPED!!!!!!
Love ya'll!!!!
Hermana Johnson

Week 48: 03/24/14

Okay so last week after emailing it was all good- life was good, new area but you know, I was adjusting pretty well I thought. We finished up emailing and went to the mission office right across the street.
And then President called me into his office and asked if he could talk to me.
I was like "Okay... sure!" And then he told me that my companion was getting transferred. That day. And I would be taking over the area. After five days.

...So that was unexpected! Haha.

But it doesn't stop there. He told me I'd be getting Hermana Olson as my new companion most likely- which is awesome, cuz she was serving in my old Missouri City area with one of the sisters I was in the MTC with. I was like- sweet! Anyway, after about an hour we got a call from one of the Assistant to the President missionaries, and they told us that we would be changing with Hermana Olsen that was serving in Lake Jackson area (super far away). I was like "hmm... that's weird, I thought President was going to send me the other Hermana Olson." But it made more sense, the other Hermana Olsen had been out a transfer longer than I had, and had just barely been sent English speaking even though she's a Spanish missionary.
So we made the big switch and Hermana Olsen unpacked and I told her everything I knew about the area (which was quite a lot for only being there five days) and we made a plan.
Anyway, Wednesday we had quarterly interviews with President Ashton. We saw a ton of Houston 9 missionaries who were like "What the heck!? You have a new companion!? You just took over the area?" And I was like "Yeah, it's crazy! But we'll be fine." Anyway, President walked out of his office, looks at me and Hermana Olsen, then back at me and says "They sent you the wrong Hermana Olsen."
Hahahaha. Hahahahah. Oh man.
So! I got a new companion! Hermana Olson, the right one this time :) She's from Evanston, Wyoming - and she's only been out in the mission for about 3 months now- so she's pretty new. It's super great to be with a small-town girl though, and she's got a great attitude about everything. So I'm really glad. I feel bad I wasn't very new-companionish when we were put as companions- I'm like- meeh, I've already done this like three times.
Anyway, I'm not gonna lie, I was a little stressed out on Friday- I was like "I know no one, we don't have anyone to teach. I've never been the companion that knows more Spanish, and what if I can't communicate with these people? I don't know the streets, or everyone in the branch, or ..." Etc. The list could go on. That morning we read a conference talk for companionship study (to prepare for CONFERENCE!! Whoot!), we decided to read "Trust in the Lord" by Elder Ballard. It was perfect. All of it.


"Trust the Lord. He is the Good Shepherd. He knows His sheep, and His sheep know His voice; and today the voice of the Good Shepherd is your voice and my voice. And if we are not engaged, many who would hear the message of the Restoration will be passed by. Simply stated, it’s a matter of faith and action on our part. The principles are pretty simple—pray, personally and in your family, for missionary opportunities. The Lord has said in the Doctrine and Covenants that many people have been kept from the truth only “because they know not where to find it” (D&C 123:12).

You don’t have to be an outgoing person or an eloquent, persuasive teacher. If you have an abiding love and hope within you, the Lord has promised if you “lift up your voices unto this people [and] speak the thoughts that [He] shall put into your hearts, … you shall not be confounded before men;

“[And] it shall be given you … in the very moment, what ye shall say”"
It just hit me super hard! He talked about if we're too afraid, and if we don't open our mouths, then there are so many people that won't have the truth, because there are so many people out there looking for it. We just have to be brave enough to open our mouths and trust in the Lord and HIs promises. that He loves us, perfectly. We also had a good chat in comp study about how Christ suffered all the effects of being human- even our weaknesses. So we just went out and talked to everyone we found- and trusted in the Lord. And it was an awesome day.

I wish I could tell you everything that happened! But just know that I know the church is true! I know that Heavenly Father loves us and watches over us and gives us the trials we need when we need it. And it's only just gonna make us better- if we choose it to be. I'm super excited to see what South Houston has in store, and what the Lord's plans are for us here.

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, have miracles ceased because Christ hath ascended into heaven, and hath sat down on the right hand of God, to claim of the Father his rights of mercy which he hath upon the children of men?

For he hath answered the ends of the law, and he claimeth all those who have faith in him; and they who have faith in him will cleave unto every good thing; wherefore he advocateth the cause of the children of men; and he dwelleth eternally in the heavens.

And because he hath done this, my beloved brethren, have miracles ceased? Behold I say unto you, Nay; neither have angels ceased to minister unto the children of men.

Love ya'll!!

Hermana Johnson

Week 47 continued ...

Old comp- Hermana Pimentel... the blonde. I LOVE HER

New comp- Hermana Gutierrez :)

Hey mom!


I'm good!!! How are you doing?? I'm in a place called South Houston. It's really great. The houses are really old and the floors are like duct-taped together but I really love it. So far the transition's been pretty easy. Not easy exactly but I think I'm just learning to trust the Lord- and I know that this is what He wants for me. So it's not been as stressful as it's been in the past. It's still going to be a bit of an adjustment... but I'll figure it out.


I loved! My package! Thank you. I love love love my bookbag and I loved the fruit roll ups. They are my favorite! Thanks for the words you put on them- that was really sweet. (sweet... in two ways... haha. Just kidding) And the nerf guns... and the scripture reference stuff and the map and everything! I love it!! Thank you so much! I have the best family ever.


Well... my birthday was pretty ... stressful. I went to transfer meetings with all my bags packed (stressful) and Hermana Dorian comes up to me with a tray of muffins she made. haha. She's the best. I told everyone it was my birthday- they sang to me at the trainer's lunch- since all my best friends are training in the mission we got to be there and have pizza! Then I met my new companion! Hermana Gutierrez. From! Utah! Whoot! She's Chicana (aka- she's got Hispanic blood but she's born and raised in the states.) She grew up speaking Spanish but stopped when she was older- so she knows and understands almost everything in Spanish. I'm still getting there! Haha. But it's nice- she's super nice and quiet and sweet. I think this is going to be a good transfer.


They took care of me on my birthday! Don't worry. I don't really want to write about it though- it makes my heart hurt that I have to leave everyone in Houston 9. I like my new area, but it's just like leaving your family everytime you get transferred. You have to start all over again being the new kid and getting to know everyone. But I'm grateful for a change, I know it's what the Lord needs me to do right now. I still miss everyone though.


Cool things that happened this week! Met this lady named Carmen, and I LOVE HER. She's from El Salvador and we think she's crazy. But I don't know why, I just love her so much. She's been having health problems and asked if we could walk her to the clinic to get her medicine because she can't go alone in case she passes out. So we were like Sure!! We walked her to the clinic and it was FULL. We had to take a number and wait for TWO HOURS. It made me really antsy to sit and not do anything for that long. I ended up talking to THE sweetest black lady, she was so cute! She just told me how she'd retired from being a bus driver and how much she loves her kids. We just sat there and chatted about life. There's a story in Preach my Gospel about this lady that sits next to this missionary on the bus, and the missionary just prayed to know how to bring up the gospel with her. Well, that's what I was doing! And we started talking about church, she said that if anyone ever invited her to a church- she would go. Well, that's cool. And then she looked at my name tag and said "Johnson!? Well, we might be related from back in the slave days. My grandmother was a Johnson" Then she talks to me about family history work! I was like man! This is awesome! So I gave her a card with the church address and familysearch.org - and gave her a hug! She was the sweetest lady.


I've just come to know that the Lord seriously does everything. All He wants from us is a willing heart. I know that as we pray for missionary opportunities - we'll get them! And it won't be hard, especially if we do it for the right reasons.


So much more happened this week! Some really intense and really weird things. I feel like I'm going to grow so much here- which is good cuz I need it. I'm in a branch and I love it! They're all so sweet.


I love you mom!! Thanks so much for everything you do for me. And who you are. I love you so so so much.


Love you forever!


Hermana Johnson


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Week 47: 03/17/14

Hey!
I'm good!!! How are you doing?? I'm in a place called South Houston aka Sunnyside. It's really great. The houses are really old and the floors are like duct-taped together but I really love it. So far the transition's been pretty easy. Not easy exactly but I think I'm just learning to trust the Lord- and I know that this is what He wants for me. So it's not been as stressful as it's been in the past. It's still going to be a bit of an adjustment... but I'll figure it out.
I loved! My package! Thank you. I love love love my bookbag and I loved the fruit roll ups. They are my favorite! Thanks for the words you put on them- that was really sweet. (sweet... in two ways... haha. Just kidding) And the nerf guns... and the scripture reference stuff and the map and everything! I love it!! Thank you so much! I have the best family ever.
Well... my birthday was pretty ... stressful. I went to transfer meetings with all my bags packed (stressful) and Hermana Dorian comes up to me with a tray of muffins she made. haha. She's the best. I told everyone it was my birthday- they sang to me at the trainer's lunch- since all my best friends are training in the mission we got to be there and have pizza! Then I met my new companion! Hermana Gutierrez. From! Utah! Whoot! She's Chicana (aka- she's got Hispanic blood but she's born and raised in the states.) She grew up speaking Spanish but stopped when she was older- so she knows and understands almost everything in Spanish. I'm still getting there! Haha. But it's nice- she's super nice and quiet and sweet. I think this is going to be a good transfer.
They took care of me on my birthday! Don't worry. I don't really want to write about it though- it makes my heart hurt that I have to leave everyone in Houston 9. I like my new area, but it's just like leaving your family everytime you get transferred. You have to start all over again being the new kid and getting to know everyone. But I'm grateful for a change, I know it's what the Lord needs me to do right now. I still miss everyone though.
Cool things that happened this week! Met this lady named Carmen, and I LOVE HER. She's from El Salvador and we think she's crazy. But I don't know why, I just love her so much. She's been having health problems and asked if we could walk her to the clinic to get her medicine because she can't go alone in case she passes out. So we were like Sure!! We walked her to the clinic and it was FULL. We had to take a number and wait for TWO HOURS. It made me really antsy to sit and not do anything for that long. I ended up talking to THE sweetest black lady, she was so cute! She just told me how she'd retired from being a bus driver and how much she loves her kids. We just sat there and chatted about life. There's a story in Preach my Gospel about this lady that sits next to this missionary on the bus, and the missionary just prayed to know how to bring up the gospel with her. Well, that's what I was doing! And we started talking about church, she said that if anyone ever invited her to a church- she would go. Well, that's cool. And then she looked at my name tag and said "Johnson!? Well, we might be related from back in the slave days. My grandmother was a Johnson" Then she talks to me about family history work! I was like man! This is awesome! So I gave her a card with the church address and familysearch.org - and gave her a hug! She was the sweetest lady.
I've just come to know that the Lord seriously does everything. All He wants from us is a willing heart. I know that as we pray for missionary opportunities - we'll get them! And it won't be hard, especially if we do it for the right reasons.
So much more happened this week! Some really intense and really weird things. I feel like I'm going to grow so much here- which is good cuz I need it. I'm in a branch and I love it! They're all so sweet.


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Week 46: 03/10/14

I'M GETTING TRANSFERRED! After six months it's finally happening. I'm a little sad because I love the people here, it feels like my home, and I have absolutely loved being companions with Hermana Pimentel. We're really sad we're getting split up- we had a ton of fun together.


It's pretty great how we found out about transfers....


Okay, so I was scheduled to go on another exchange with Hermana Ricks (My roommate from college) but she was crazy busy, so she called up and was like - Hey! Could you do an exchange with Houston 1? And we're like "Yeah!" - That's where Hermana Watkins is serving! And Hermana Pimentel's old area. So we were like Heck yeah!! She was like "Cool. Hermana Pimentel will be going with Hermana Watkins, and Hermana Jaeger will be going with Hermana Johnson." I was SO CLOSE to being comps with Hermana Watkins. So close!!


The exchange was great! I absolutely love Hermana Jaeger. She's seriously a ball of purity and light. She's also been comps with hna ricks and she was in my Missouri City area right before I was, so we have a ton in common. She's seriously so awesome.


We met this new guy named Juan, he has walking problems, and his wife died a year ago and he's been so lonely. We taught him the plan of salvation, and it was SO powerful. He just said that he felt like he should let us in, and he was really glad that he did. He's so cute and so great.


As we were riding home from our last appointment, we got a call from President Ashton, our mission president. We were like "wha?" So I answer and he says "Hello, who's driving right now?" I said, "Uhm... we're in a biking area." haha. "...But I'm on exchanges right now with Hermana Jaeger." And he said "Oh, I was just calling because the Lord wants Hermana Pimentel to train next transfer." Daaah! So I knew that I'd be transferred from the area. :( But guess who else is training!? Hermana Dorian!!! And Hermana Green (one of my best friends from the MTC!) President told me that I should go to the trainers meeting too... and I did. It was super cool! Such a big resposabiltiy to train but they'll all do so great. Seriously like three of my favorite misisonaries.


Anyway, miracles always happen the last week of the transfer. Gloria came to church!!! I almost passed out. It was such a miracle!!!


I know the church is true, and that God loves all His children. I know that sincere prayers are answered and that God wants us to be close to Him and we can be if we seek Him with all our hearts.


Love you!


Hermana Johnson

Pictures

Me and Hna Ricks my old roommate. when we went on exchanges

Me and Hermana Dorian in our Dino Shirts :)

us and a bunch of elders at the place we do our laundry :)

Me and a monkey at the zoo :)

the hermanas :)

Me and my comp Hna Pimentel :)

Me and my comp Hna Pimentel :)

This is me and erryone that's training... Hermana Pimentel, hna Dorian, Green, and McGrath. :)

Week 45: 03/03/14

Mam!
How are you!? I love you!!! So... funny thing that I do when I type... I stick my ear to my shoulder like I'm talking on the phone. Old college habits die hard I guess.
I'm going to be 22!!! Whoot!! Seriously all I want is letters and a backpack. Maybe food (I'm apparently skinner than I used to be... but I think it's just cuz of the bike area). I just told my companion all I want to do is be allowed to sing "22" by Taylor Swift all day without feeling guilty. She said that would be okay. Haha.
Next week we get transfer calls!! I'm pretty sure I'm staying... but who knows. I'm kinda getting to the point where everyone's problems are stressing me out and I'm sitting here like "I don't know what more to do for my vineyard." But if the Lord wants me to stay... so be it. I love it here. Also transfer day is on my birthday... that would be a pretty strange/bummy birthday cuz my new companion slash people in my new area would have no idea ... but it's whatevs.
This week was totally different. Our "numbers" were terrible but honestly it doesn't matter cuz we did a lot of great things. On Monday our district decided to make a dinner for Bishop and his wife and family. They seriously sacrifice so much for the ward, and it's been taking a toll on the family. So we did a little FHE with them, made them spaghetti, one of the Hermanas played some violin for them, and afterwards we taught them "Signs". It was a blast. And Bishop's wife was super emotional, I think just to know that the Lord was aware of her and her sacrifices.
Do you remember that cool less active I told you about that has pregnancy problems? Well, she's moving! Which is a problem, cuz she can't move cuz she's got a high risk pregnancy! So the missionaries helped her move all day! So fun. The Hermana looked at me and Hermana Pimentel and was like "Are you guys still going to come visit me!?" We're like "No, we can't!" But we so want to cuz she's awesome! She reminds me a lot of Aunt Stacy cuz she's so awesome and so cool and her kids are the cutest ever. Her little boy refuses to go anywhere without his "Cars" boots. So cute.
Carmen (one of our less actives) FINALLY came to church yesterday. She hasn't come since I've been in this area. And what's more - she came in a skirt! She HATES skirts. Haha. She's so sassy. Her son turns 8 this month and she wants him to be baptized. I hope this sparks some sort of activity in the church streak in her.
Not a whole lot happened than that. We have a little investigator with a baptismal date, Josefina, she's like 60 and she's SO CUTE! We saw her at the place where we do our laundry (we have to bike our laundry, did I tell you that? I feel like a homeless person. Haha) with her husband today and we helped them fold their laundry. She's got such simple faith, it makes me want to be more like that.
This week I've just been thinking a lot about the love of God. And seriously, the more we trust in that love and choose to believe it, the more faith we have, and the more things make sense. I know that sometimes Heavenly Father puts us through the trials now so that we can come closer to Him and enjoy the good times even more later- with complete fidelity to Him during the good times so we don't fall into darkness later. It's all about what we choose to choose. It is seriously a perfect plan!!!
Love you!
Hermana Johnson

Week 45: 02/24/14

So much happened this week! Missions are so fast. I can't get over how fast they are.

First of all, we had a baptism on Saturday. Little Brandon who's 9. He's Alex's brother and he is seriously the sweetest thing ever. His mom hasn't been too involved in the process, she's not very into religion or anything but she supports what her kids are doing. She doesn't ever listen to us and she didn't even go to Alex's baptism. Which I think is a little discouraging for them. I just prayed so hard that she would make it to Brandon's baptism. She told us she couldn't go and that she had to work but I just prayed so hard that it would work out and she would make it anyway. The Lord answers prayers!!!! By some miracle (and also a lot of hard work) she and her daughter and their little nephew showed up right before Brandon got baptized. Miracles! So good!

Let's see what else? Ugh. Not going to lie, part of this week was just an Ugh. But they happen, and good times come and the work keeps going cuz it's not the work of the missionaries, it's the work of the Lord! Something I've definitely learned on my mission is that the Lord's Atonement is infinite. Especially when we just slip up and fall, the Lord always seems to make it right- especially when we're on His errand. We're just here, we're going to make mistakes, a lot of them, but that's what we're here to do, to make mistakes and to learn from them. To try to learn to be better and to purify our hearts and to become more like Christ. It's such a wonderful plan. If we're on the Lord's side and we're doing things for the right reasons we have NO need to fear in any time or in any way. I just love that!

Totally out of time. Sorry this was lacking in detail about anything haha. But I LOVE YOU SO MUCH! Thank you for your example and your love and being so Christlike. I feel more than incredibly blessed.
Love you forever!!

Hermana Johnson

Week 44: 02/17/14

Alright, so like I said, I don't have much time cuz my district is about to have a nurf battle of the century and the Hermanas are totally going to win. (Also they're playing nertz right now *ie wacky sixes* and I'm totally missing out on beating everybody.)
This week was AWESOME!!!!!
So much to say so little time!
Valentine's Day was pretty great. I sang my comp a song for comp study... it was pretty romantic. She asked me if I'd be her Valentine and I told her I'd never let her out of my sight all day. We're so funny. Anyway, our district leader called us up and said that there was a less active sister that was on bed rest because her pregnancy was at high risk, in his area but he couldn't see her cuz... well he's an elder. So we biked clear over to who knows where and just talked to this AWESOME sister. She seriously was so cool. She just told us all about her life and her conversion story and it was great. Then Hna Pimentel talked to her while I went and did the dishes. Her kids followed me into the kitchen and wanted to help. So me and a six year old girl and a three year old boy did the dishes! It was so fun. It made me want to be a mom so bad one day. The little boy would dry the dishes and after he was done he would yell "IT'S CLEEEEEEAN!!" It was so cute!
Alex got baptized on Saturday! It was SO great and the Spirit was SO strong. There weren't very many people there cuz it was kinda last minute. But! It was perfect just how it was. He was so nervous. But everything went great. After his baptism me, my comp, and the sisters from a different ward sang "If you could Hie to Kolob/ Nearer my God to thee" and just looked over at Alex and he was just crying! It was so sweet. Afterwards I went up to him and asked him how he felt and he just barried his head in his jacket and was bawling. He's just like "I just feel so good!" Then one of the other Hermanas in our ward was like "Alex, do you know why out of all the people in their area they found you? ... Because Heavenly Father wanted YOU to know how much he loves YOU." Ah! The worth of a soul. It seriously made me think about how Heavenly Father is so aware of us and he loves us completely and perfectly even though we don't always feel it or recognize it. His love is the same no matter where we are or how loved we feel. He loves us so deeply and so perfectly. I love that. Alex is an amazing kid and he is going to be an amazing member and missionary one day.
I know that the church is true!!! I know that the Lord loves us so much and is so aware of us! I know that we can learn A TON from the scriptures and I know that if we trust in the Lord He'll never let us down.
I love you forever!!!!!!
Hermana Johnson

Week 43: 02/10/14

Alrighty so this one's going to be short, sorry mom! It looks like you're having an awesome time on your trip! I loved your pictures! I wish I could be there with you guys and translate haah. Even though my Spanish isn't super duper strong yet- it's enough. :) I can't believe you held a snake! How cool is that!? Wow. So jelly.
Okay, so this week. Well, we had a huge like - push for Antonio to be baptized as to avoid the "eterna-gator" status, but ... well. we planned this lesson, talked about commitments. Like how he was going to commit to Gabby because he loved her, that's why they're getting married. And that it wouldn't be perfect, but you are showing her you love her and that you're willing to try by marrying her. Then we're like "It's the same with God!" and talked about baptism and the covenant. And it was awesome and the Spirit was so strong. Then we testified, and then I was like "Antonio, will you follow the example of Jesus Christ by being baptized?" And seriously the Spirit was SO strong. And he said "Yes! I definitely will!.... I just need more time." Daaaaaaaaah! Dah. But you know- what can you do? He's in the Lord's hands.
Guess what!? We have a baptism on Saturday!! Alex, our little 12 year old best friend, is getting baptized and he is so excited! It's cool to see how fast he is learning and how much faith he has. I just love it. I'll be sure to send pictures.
Life is good! Hna Dorian misses me which is good cuz I always thought she hated me and couldn't wait til she could get a new companion. I was like "you're going to miss this! You're going to want this back!" Haha.
The gospel is true! What a miracle that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to a young boy that just wanted to know. I know that as we have real desires that the Lord answers us, in His own time and in His own way. I know that He loves us and has a plan for all of us. Sorry this was so short. The work is going great. I love you guys so much!!!
Hermana Johnson

Week 42: 02/03/14

Okay wehre do I even start? This week was SO GREAT!
Monday night we went and saw this lady named Moniqua. She is kinda crazy- I mean, I understand why- but she's very much a "tell you how it is" person. We brought this really awesome couple from our ward to her house, and she got so upset about it! She was like telling them in the middle of our lesson "The missionaries can't just bring people into my house. Just random strangers. I don't like that. This is my house. I don't even know you." Aahaaah. It was really intense. The members were CHAMPS though and pretty much defended us super well ( and with the help of the Spirit, for real) and by the end of the lesson we were best friends. Her husband is super cool and chill and he read in the BoM and really wants to go to church, and their kids are SUPER cute.
Tuesday was Hermana Dorian's last day. We went and saw this lady with a "date" but she wasn't there. Surprise! Her husband was there (Which was her main excuse of not coming to church) We taught him and he really liked it! Miracles! We also got fed a thousand times. Seriously. But it was so good. Excpet we had this cactus soup, which was delicious, until I found a dead coackroach in it. Meeeh. That was interesting. Picked it out and ate the rest of the soup though! The things you do on missions....
Then we had this "Brilliant idea" to have a reverse lesson with Janie. So we cooked them dinner, and they taught a lesson. Actually it was a super cool idea! Right? Except we let them pick the topic. Guys. We read Revelations chapter 11. What. the. heck? Hahah. We read it, in Spanish, and then they were lik e"what'd you learn?" Hahah. We're like "uhm... be prepared for the second coming!" It was really cute though.
Wednesday was transfer meeting. My companion: Hermana Pimentel! From Highland Utah! She is literally so legit, and funny, and crazy, and an awesome teacher. I've never felt so much on the "same page" as anyone else in my mission so far. Very much a teaching to needs missionary. I have been praying for her for like- since last transfer! And seriously, prayers are answered. It's awesome.
We've been teaching like crazy. It's been awesome. My favorite part of the week though was sunday. Antonio came to church. He gets married this Saturday. I just want to have a big faith push to help him be baptized. But we can't make him do something he doesn't want to do. I just - dah, I'm just afraid he'll turn into an eterna-gator if he doesn't get baptized soon. We also had Alex and Brandon come - they are so cute. Alex is twelve, and last week was fast and testimony meeting. He asked if he could go up. So he went up!!! He was like "Hi, my name is Alex and I know that the Book of Mormon is true." The Spirit was SO STRONG. I seriously almost started crying. Then he gave a little shout out to the missionaries. Haha. And his mom's health. I don't know it was really cute and he was so nervous. It seriously was like the biggest hug from Heavenly Father ever. Then the member we went out with that helped us with the crazy investigator that didn't want them in her house got up and testified about missionary work! And how we have no need to fear cuz the Lord is on our side. Then our little member AV, who's 13, got up and seriously bore one of the strongest sweetest testimonies of my life. IT was SO cute! Such a good meeting yesterday.
I know - I KNOW that the Lord answers prayers. That He loves us. That miracles happen. That we don't have to be more than we are, because His grace is sufficient. I know that this church is true with all my heart, and I'm so grateful to be part of this amazing work.
Les quiero muchisimo!!!
Hermana Johnson

PS- We ride by a Baptist church sign every day and now it says: Be an organ donor: Give your heart to Jesus!
Hahah. Love you!

Week 41: 01/27/14

Well Hello!!!

Okay. Ready for some mission drama? Antonio is getting married, to Gabby. In 2 weeks. Dah!!! I'm super excited for them!! Also super worried for Antonio that if he doesn't get baptized now he never will!!! We tried to have a lesson with him on Thursday night (which was freezing and rainy and ... probably not as cold as Utah but still... we're on bikes here people.) and ... he didn't show up. BUT! We did share a little message with the Rivera family that showed up to teach him with us... and they are super cool! It was just a little scripture but the Spirit was so strong. (D&C 6:33-37... definitely a favorite). Anyway, Antonio has work off the week before he gets married so I'm praying super hard if we should like- visit him every day and let this thing happen or what. We'll see. Dah. So nervous.

Well, transfer calls this morning. Hermana Dorian is getting transferred! She was really sad, but she says it's time. She was like "I'm sad cuz I feel like all these miracles are about to happen in this area and I'm leaving!!" I really am trying to like- have as much faith as is possible for miracles cuz they so are going to happen but only in a response to faith!!!!! I hope I get a new companion that is like- okay. Faith. Workin hard. Workin together. Let's make this happen. It's totally going to happen.

Praying for it to happen!

Also, I'm in the war chapters of the Book of Mormon! They are so cool!!! Helaman is awesome. Just saying. I've learned so much about Christlike leadership and about trusting in God and strengthening our weaknesses with the Lord's help. So if you ever get to the war chapters, don't skip them. They really are awesome!

Okay. So. I'm trying to think about what happened this week versus last week. We taught Sylvia, the 18 year old with a kinda strange boyfriend and the cutest son ever. We're also teaching her brother-in-law, Alex, who's 12. He is SO funny. He reminds me so much of Brant, and he totally wants to be baptized. He even came to church this last sunday! Anyway, I love Sylvia. She's like- she just gets it. Every time we leave them with a scriptures she's just like "I read what you guys left me last night and I totally get it. It answered so many of my questions." and we teach her and she's like "That makes so much sense!" It's just people likeher that make everything so worth it. That just get it and just love it the way I love it. I'm like "I love this stuff!" and it makes me excited when other people do too. Her biggest hurdle I think will be telling her husband that she wants all this. And convincing him to marry her for it. Noooot too excited about that but we'll see.

Gloria, aka "Super Mom" LOVES the Book of Mormon. She made us read it to her with her kids. Which was crazy cuz they're all off the walls crazy ADD. We left her with 3 Nefi 27 because she loves how we pray in Christ's name and the name of our church. She just is already friends with like- 3 ladies in our ward and seriously feels like a member. She's just really involved in her other church which makes her feel close to Christ, and I think doesn't see kinda the connection of how changing her religion would bring her more close to Christ? I'm not sure but she's my favorite ever. Seriously the nicest most patient women I've ever met and would be the best member in the world. There are just too many miracles that have happened for this not to work out. Praying super hard!!!

I get a new companion on Wednesday! And I get to take over the area!! I'm really nervous!! But I know it will be okay, cuz the Lord wants these people to know Him. I love you so much!! I know that the Church is true, and as we put our trust in the Lord, He'll deliver us! We might get a few battle wounds, but we'll always come out on top.

LOVE YOU!
Hermana Johnson

PS funny thing that happened: We taught this lady who is SUPER Cool named Neyne, she lives across the sidewalk from one of our recent converts so she's seen us all the time. Anyway, we taught her the Restauration and asked her to be baptized. She said yes!! And then Hermana Dorian extends a date... for the 29th of February!!! HAHAHAhaha. I was sitting there like- oh gosh, what do I do!? And Neyne goes "Hmm... wait..." I'm holding my breath... "What day of the week is that? Sunday?" Haha. She totally didn't catch it. Super funny.

Week 40: 01/20/14

Okay, so I have like- no time but I don't even know what to say but this week was amazing.
So. Once upon a time we went on exchanges!! Guess who I was with- Hermana Ricks! Aka Nia Aka my roommate from college. Oh my goodness it was so fun. Except... we stayed up waaaay too late the night before and ended up being super groggy the next day. But we did make jalapeño hot dogs which were delicious.
Anyway, while I was on exchanges my area blew up!! Well, our area blew up like- this whole week- we found 10 new people, where the usual is like 2 or 3 in our mission. There's a scripture in D&C that says: Open your mouths and they will be filled, and you shall be laden with sheaves on your backs. Or, talk to everyone, and you'll be given families! Mom, that's exactly what happened!! It has been amazing.
So first of all, we OYM'd (That's "Open your Mouth" aka street contacting) this family a few weeks back, we were biking visiting some formers and I just remember praying that one of them would be someone prepared. I'm just like "Can I have enough faith to ask you for this??" And we get to the house, and there was a padlock on the door. Which means someone had moved out. And I was like "Man!!" But had a feeling like- its okay. Prayer of faith always proceeds miracles. So we walk down the stairs and there was this cute family there- just leaving. Mom, the mom looked just like you. We call it "the mom look" just those people that have so much light in their eyes that would do anything for their kids just out of pure love for them. So we talked to them. And they were so nice!!! I was like "I think I'm a bit TOO attached to this family." ANYWAY long story short, they finally got to meet with them when I was on exchanges!!! And they are THE BEST! They have 3 little kids, just like our family. Strong Baptists, which I just think means they would be amazing members of the church. SO legit. They came to the chapel and we taught them the Restoration this week and they just loved it! The mom was like "What do I do? I have these commitments in my other church." We're like "Pray about it!!!" She's like- okay if this is meant to be- God will provide a way. Dah!!! I wish I had time to tell you how cool she is!
And then they ran into a former investigator Sylvia. President told us a while back to prayerfully pray about our former investigators and the Lord would lead us to people that had been prepared. So I did it! And Sylvia definitely stood out to me! Hna Dorian was like "Nah, we taught them and they didn't have any real intent." So you know, I was like "Oh okay." But ney! She finds us!! She's 18 with a kid looking to change her life. She's SO cool. Just super legit and I just feel like- so comfortable around her, same with Gloria "the mom". We were teaching her and she was like "I just have this burning question: If God is so good, then like- why do bad things happen? Why does He let Satan do all these bad things??" And I was like Dah! The Book of Mormon answers that question!!! So we shared with her 2 Nephi 2:11 and such as. She was like "Wow, I've had that question for a long time, and that just answered my question." Right!? Cuz the book of Mormon in the BOM-b.
Sorry this was short and kinda out of place. But!!! I just love this work! It's seriously the work of the Lord, and I'm so glad he calls us in our weaknesses so that we realize that we really can't do it without His help. He literally is the Head of this church, and there is no way I could deny that because I've felt His power work through me with strength I didn't know I had. I know anytime we feel weak or incapable or misunderstood, we can turn to Him in prayer and He will give us the strength beyond our own. I know that as we do all we can to please Him, we will have peace in our hearts. I love you guys!! Thank you for being such an amazing family. I feel so incredibly blessed.
LOVE YOU LOVE YOU LOVE YOU!!
Hermana Johnson

HALF WAY!!! Week 39: 01/14/14

Hello!!!!!


This week!!! Wow, what a week!!!


So! Saturday and Sunday Elder Nelson came!!! Of the 12! It. Was. Awesome. Oh my goodness I wish I could describe it. Saturday night he talked about member missionary work, and if that doesn't get people pumped, I don't know what will. He had like- all the misisonaries from Houston 2 go up, including my old roommate Hermana Ricks and like- asked them how the ward was helping them out. Talk about nerve racking. He also said something I thought was pretty cool. He's like- there's only two big promises in the scriptures from the Lord that haven't been fulfilled yet. 1. The great Gathering of Isreal. and 2. The second coming. Seriously, that's all that's left! And here we are on the front battles, gathering Isreal! It's so awesome!!! Both the members and the missionaries. Because the Lord has to fufill the promises He's made to our Fathers. Dah. I just feel so blessed to be here in Houston. This big cultural mixing block. We actually just went out to eat today at this random Italian restaurant. And our waitress there was from Kazikstan! She's like "what organization do ya'll belong to?" So we told her and she was like "Oh. The only thing that I've heard about the Mormon's is that they have this huge database for family history." Well looky who had a familysearch.orgpassalong card in her bookbag. This girl. (It was in Spanish, but you know. The websites the same) Anyway, she comes back like 2 minutes later with her Ipad and was like "How do you do this?" hahah. She already had it started up. Spirit of Elijah! So cool.


Anyway, the stake conference!!!! Saturday night I went and shook his hand!! Whoot!!!! He looked at my name tag and said "Sister Johnson, how are you?" Good!!! So cool!!! And I was with Hna Martinez and she was crying and she's like "tell him you helped my husband!!!" So I sheepishly was like "Uh... I helped her husband be baptized." and she's burst out "27 years!!!" Miracle. He said "Well, if anyone can do it it's these two." Looking at me and Hna Dorian. Well... pretty close. Hna Dorian and I do mish work pretty well together. I mean, at least I think so. Anyway. Super cool we got to meet him!!! He was so great. Sunday he had all the primary kids stand up and sing "Soy un hijo de Dios" or "I'm a child of God" it was so powerful!!! Oh my goodness. And then at the end he was like "I want to make this a memorable experience, so with your faith, I'm going to speak in a language that's not my own." And he spoke in perfect Spanish!!!! It was So AWESOME. I mean, I think he learned it on his mission but he's 92 years old and his brain is like- probably not the freshest ever. So cool.


Miracle of yesterday. We were going to see a potential and on the other side of the parking lot I could feel this guy staring at us. And I got the strongest impression to talk to him. Now, k, let me just tell you, we're in Houston, and sometimes like- I mean, we're totally safe all the time and I haven't not felt safe ever, but generally we avoid just talking to men because sometimes it turns out a liiiittle weird. So I'm like- we can't just go talk to him, what if he's crazy? So I just said a little prayer in my head: "Heavenly Father, if we need to talk to this guy, please let him talk to us." So we walk by and Hna Dorian says hi and then I ask him what he's doing and ... well, he pretty much started talking to us!! He's like "I have a question for you guys!!! What motivates you to learn Spanish?" So we told him about what we did and how we got A LOT of help from Heavenly Father, and we just kinda talked to him. Well guess what? It turns out he had been baptized 15 years earlier in Guatemala! Yeah! And he was looking to go back to church. A miracle. I was like "Ohmygoshdidthatjusthappen?" It just is a testimony builder to me how much the Lord cares about his lost sheep. Really, he'll do anything, leave the 99 and go and find the one.


Also, we pass these guys that hold up signs everyday for businesses and we're like their best friends.. I mean, we don't really talk but we always say hi. Yesterday we passed one of them on our bikes and stopped and talked to him. He's like "Man, you guys are so faithful in what you're doing. You don't think people notice you or your sacrifices but they do. What do you guys do anyway??" So we shared with him what we do! And we bore super powerful testimony of the Book of Mormon, and said, "Would you like a copy of that Book?" He was like "I was just going to ask you that." It was so awesome! You could just see his eyes light up as we testified to him of faith and repentance and the Book of Mormon. So we told him we'd go give him one one of these days when we pass by him (we only carry around Spanish BoMs).


Janie's boyfriend stayed for a lesson. I od'nt know why, but I feel such a connection to him. He's like- drunk half the time, but I think there's a man that's really broken and has had a hard life somewhere in there, and I think he's looking for something more. I don't think he likes who he is or what he's doing right now. So we taught them about the gospel of Jesus Christ, and testified that through Christ we can become renewed. Man, this gospel is so amazing!! Seriously! I love it! It changes lives!!! I think it's going to take him a long time, but - it'll be worth it!!!


Antonio pretty much told us he wants to wait to get a new job before he gets baptized (cuz he wants a calling- hahah. He's so cool.) But he doesn't want to get a new job until school is over... in may. *face palm* I don't know what to do about that kid. He just needs a spiritual slap in the face!!! I really do think like- once he really feels it he'll go for it even though he won't be perfect. We'll see.


This week I learned so much about the love from our Heavenly Father and about the Atonement. That Christ literally suffered for all our pains and afflictions as well as our sins. It doesn't matter if the pain comes from not being good enough, not feeling like we're as good as we should be, from our sins, from being misunderstood, from being cast out or feeling alone, it doesn't even matter. The reason why we felt the pain isn't conditional on if Christ felt it or not. He feels it, He knows it all, and He chose to do that so that when we suffer, we don't have to do it alone. That no matter how deep our wounds, the Lord has one to match it, and can suffer with us through it. I am so grateful for Him. Grateful for His love for not only me, but for every single person. I think that's why sharing this message is so important, through all the difficulties of life, you literally don't have to battle them alone. How wonderful is our message!


Love you :) Have a great week!


Hermana Johnson

Week 38: 01/06/14

Mom Mom Mom!!!
This week was great! What'd we do for New Year's Eve? SLEPT!!! We went to the temple, which was wonderful! BUT... this sista only got like 5 hours of sleep so it was a little fuzzy, but it's always so great and I always learn so much! It's like the temple is designed to teach you exactly what you need to know. The Spirit is there so strongly! Can't wait til ya'll can come with me :)
Yeah, so we were SUPER tired from getting up at 4:45, but we went shopping and I may have went a little crazy, but new year new clothes right? I got this aqua cardigan and I noticed Hermana Dorian got the same one and I was like- you better not be wearing that to zone conference on Friday. She was like "I sure am." And I was like "well... I am too." Welp, we totally matched to zone conference! We thought we were super funny and erryone just looked at us weird. But it was kinda hilarious. We're like "If the Elders can match, why can't we??"
Transfers are in like- 3 weeks. I'm 99.9% sure Hna Dorian is leaving and I'm taking over the area. A LITTLE nervous but I'm just praying that the Lord will just teach me what I need to know these next few weeks.
Miracle of the week: The boyfriend of Janie, our awesome "eterna-gator", who's like almost always drunk, came to church this sunday! I turned around in sacrament meeting and there he was! With Janie and the girls. I was like - Whaaaa??? It was seriously a miracle. He's super cool and quiet when he's not drunk. We may or may not be a bit too excited about it "Ohmygosh what if he joins the church and they can be an eternal family!?" But you know, the Lord works in mysterious ways.
Oh my gosh, other miracle of the week. I was looking through our area book and found this page called "Former potentials" aka people that were like "Sure! We'll listen!" But then they never got a hold of them again. ANYWAY, we decided to go try them. We knocked on this door, and this 13 year old kid answers and was like super cool! I could hear Dora the Explorer on his tv and was like "Are you watching Dora?" He's like "I'm bored okay!!" Hahah. So we left him a restaration pamplet so he wouldn't be so "bored." Another day we came back and taught him the restauration! And he was like "Did you guys know that they took parts out of the bible?" we're like YEAH! And we showed him a scripture in the book of Mormon where it talks about that. Then we invited him to be baptized when he knew these things were true. He looked at us straight in the eye, and said "Yes, I will." Dahh! It was so cool! Such a tender mercy. he's so awesome. The thing is... found out we actually have to have permission from his parents to teach him, so we're praying to have them find us at home.
Hermana Moreno's home!!!! She's the member who's brother was sick in Utah. She's back and her brother is getting better. His bishop actually called her and we had to translate from english to spanish which was really hard but super fun.
It's been a pretty good week! I'm definitely in a "I wish I was better than I am" mode right now, which is never good. I guess something I've learned on my mission or have tried to learn is to be patient and just grow in the way and at the speed the Lord wants me to. And I know that the Lord blesses those that wait.
The church is true!!! The Book of Mormon is the best book in the world! I know that the Savior loves us no matter what. And I'm so grateful for Him and His sacrifice.
Love you all!!!
Hermana Johnson

Week 37: 01/01/14

Hey mom!!!!
So did I tell you, after I got of the phone, Gabby was like "You have a lot of love in your family." I'm like- right! We are the best! Forever!!! I love you guys, it was so great to see you.
Christmas was pretty good, we went and visited with Paula, a single lady in our area, she's really cute. We played uno and I totally lost. It was all I could do to convince Hermana Dorian to play, but we did in the end!! I love me my card games ;) Then after that we had dinner with this other family in our ward. Actually we ate dinner and they sat in the other room and chilled but it was fine :) That morning we made a big breakfast for the 8 missionaries in my ward and some other people in our ward. Twas delicious! Then we sang christmas songs. It was great.
Thursday night<x-apple-data-detectors://0> we saw Antonio. He was like- "I want to be sure. I'm going to pick my baptismal date." Which is fine! He's trying so hard to find the truth, it's a little discouraging though cuz it's like- we don't know when he's going to be baptized and hopefully he doesn't wait til next year or til he knows everything about the church to do it. I don't know- if ya'll could just pray for him so that he'll receive and answer and be able to recognize his answer about the restauration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. That would be great. I just don't know what more we can do for him but just pray. He's totally all in the Lord's hands, and I know that the Lord will help him receive his answer.
So for Hermana Dorian's birthday! I cooked her breakfast while she was in the shower (I mean, I make a mean scrambled egg) and then I posted ugly pictures of her inside all our cabinets and in the fridge. I'm seriously probably the best companion ever. Haha. She had a great birthday, we got fed, Janie's girls gave us both presents (Yes!) and La Hermana Paula (The one who's house we called from) got her flowers and cake, and then we had even MORE cake at Irais's house. I was like- going to die I was so full. But it was a lot of fun. :)
We definitely had my first bible bash! Whoot!!! I can hold my own. Just kidding, we went with Hermana Paula to see this one guy and his roommate was there and Hermana Paula invited him to listen. We taught the plan of salvation, and after we talked about Premortal life he's like "Well, where does it say that in the bible?" So we showed him, and then he's like "well I interpret it like this..." And like from then on every principle was like "I think this. I think that." And we'd show him a scripture, or testified or whatever, and then he'd just go off again. Hermana Dorian was suuuper frustrated. Me too. But I mean, it was fine, just his poor roommate who we went to teach couldn't feel the Spirit cuz his roommate tried to dominate the conversation the whole time. Super frustrating. But it wasn't that bad. After that, the Lord gave us a tender mercy and we got to teach a family! The mom's name is Sylvia and she's got 4 beautiful little girls. They all speak english too, but I'm not sure I like teaching in english. I'm not used to it!! They were cool. We're seeing them tomorrow, and I hope it goes well!
Oh my gosh. Okay so yesterday. Man, tender mercies exist! We went to this apartment complex that we had a bunch of potentials, and NO ONE WOULD ANSWER. We heard like a thousand people at home, but no one would answer. So we went and tried one of our Less Actives, Carmen. She's SO funny. Hilarious. Anyway, she's kinda just one of those- doesn't have her priorities straight kind of less actives. She's got a little kid named Steve, who's seriously just like Brant. Just one of those one-of-a-kind sweet/hilarious kids. He's 7. We taught them about the baptismal covenant. And Carmen just kinda took over and taught her son about how wonderful baptism is and what we do and why we do it. The Spirit was so strong. It just made me realize how wonderful it is to have a mother teach her kids. It's just how it's meant to be. And Steve is seriously one of those "noble and great ones" that loves the things of God. After we taught a little, Hna Dorian and Carmen started talking about something and Steve turns to me and says "Will you tell me more about what you were just talking about?" Man, that's how I feel about the gospel, too. It was seriously one of the most tender experiences ever.
Did I tell you!? Elder Neilson is coming to my stake! On the 11th. I'm SO EXCITED!!!
The Church is true. God answers prayers, and He is guiding us every single day. I know that He's helped me in more occasions than I can count. I know my Savior lives, and is the perfect example for each and every one of us. He knows our burdens, and He knows how to strengthen us. And in His strength, we can do all things.
I Love You!
Hermana Johnson