TAYLORS EMAIL #13

June 15, 2010

Okay here goes - FAMILY - I got letters yesterday! It was fun to read about stuff you already told me on e-mail : ) haha Seriously though! First things first. My tooth is 100 better. No aching, to squirrel face...tudo bem. otimo. We are making weekly visits to the dentist for one more week just to kill whatever it was...I’m totally fine : )

I don’t think I’ll really ever withdraw more money from my debit card, but if you can make sure it always has like 150 200 on it that would be great! How much does it have? I had to withdraw to pay for the dentist, they’ll reimburse me and then I’ll have some spending money.

My Comp Elder Fonseca and I have been VERY blessed with a great friendship, great investigators, and the same desire to work. I’m learning from him everyday and to tell the truth he assumed the role of mother during my tooth episode haha. We were walking the other day and he had a bubble in his throat...couldn’t help but think of Dad and how he always leaves the bubble there ... like my companion did hahaha. Mom I wanted to let you know that I washed my pillowcase yesterday . . . don’t stress I’m a big boy now : )! Our parents are the best. Always trying to do better, draw our family closer and strengthen/serve others...what awesome examples. I’m jealous that you all are going to be hitting the water in not too long. But hopefully I’ll be hitting the water here soon as well! (baptism neh?)

Everyone asks about language… It’s good … there are moments when you can’t say what you want and it's a little disheartening, but Elder Fonseca always reminds me that it is ONLY the spirit that really matters. I tried to teach the lesson at FHE last night, and halfway through I stopped, asked "am I making sense".... and received a partial yes partial no, I kinda wanted to quit, walk away, let elder F. speak....but that moment was really important for me. I had to decide in that moment if I was going to be frustrated that I could speak perfect Portuguese (in 3 months), if I was going to hang my head...we just can't do that... how is the Lord going to work through us if we aren't trying? SO. . . I decided I'd smile...finish the lesson the best I could...and promised myself that next time it would be better, because the Lord will bless those who try. I testify that He does. I testify that God can work through anyone who wants to be a witness of him. Children, adults, grandparents, even someone that doesn’t speak the same language as you. Oh how I miss my family, and love you all. I thank you all for your prayers on my behalf; they are felt with ever step.

- Love Elder Johnson

Friends-
SO I wrote a long family e-mail today, I might slack here... we'll see. Tooth is all better. The World cup starts today for Brazil and the city are going to shut down completely. I cut my hair today (Hales he did pretty good, I gotta admit, even though I look army status). I had a twix yesterday, WOW, so good. We were also promised by the local mob leader that "no one will mess with you" because he is going to protect us...so don’t worry about our health! Okay, trivialities (a word?) are done. I have a couple of thoughts and maybe a question or two. Quote of the week "We awaken in others the same state of mind that we hold towards them" More or less that1s what it said. When you think someone is annoying, the WILL be annoying to you. When you think someone is funny, they will be funny to you. When you think of someone as a daughter/son of God, they will become that to you. Take a minute and think of someone that you have deemed 'annoying' or 'rude' ... try and change that opinion this week : ) Now a question that our president asked our branches here ... "What percentage LDS are you?" Do we leave room for some slack? Just a self check question. I hope it never sounds like I'm criticizing when I write these e-mails; I just share thoughts that have helped me through the week to try and improve. President also suggests that the most important word in the world is THANK YOU. We need to say thank you more! It cost a dollar to send a letter... send a letter to someone who you are grateful for! It might be the best dollar you ever spent! Quick success story. Max a boy Elder Fonseca baptized...he quit work this week so he could go to church. He wears the same thing to church every Sunday because they are the only new clothes he has, jeans and a yellow t shirt. The sincere nature of his prayers touch my heart every time I hear them..."please bless that when my friends ask me to go to their church I won't because I know that this is the true church" "please bless that we will always have bread to eat" . . . He is 12... and without a doubt he is going to change the lives of many. Faith is so powerful. I love the story of my friend Max. And I love you all as well. Keep being yourselves, the best yourself you can be!

- Elder Johnson
PS someone tell me where Clay Frost is going please!