Tays Email #16

July 5^th 2010

Fam

First off. . Barrett! Do you know an Elder Sinclair that served in your mission? Supposedly a nerd? His bro in my mission...Elder Way. Who knows! Daniel who I baptized this week sends a hug to you all... from the 'first man that your son baptized' (I don’t know how to spell baptized). So we had an Elder leaving this last week who's family came to pick him up... so i asked them how it has been... they said that they have loved it and that they would suggest it. For me I don't know just cause of the money and all... but it is really up to you! Of course at the end of my mission I will probably have a stronger opinion haha but as of right now I don't think it is a huge deal! I got a couple letters this week from the family and I wrote back today, I always appreciate your uplifting thoughts, they always land at the right time, right when I need them. Boy o Boy am I grateful for each of you! Ill try and send pics, it is a battle ya know?! I hope you all enjoyed the trip! It is grate to know you are all doing well and having a good time together. Yesterday I got a wiff of tuna fish (don't know how because they don’t have it here) and my mind instantly took me to Lake Powell... it was weird... tuna fish and lettuce.. There were even grapes. Our minds are amazing haha. I love you all! Be strong and remember that the Lord has overcome the world... only through him can we do the same! - All my love

Elder Johnson

All-

A couple of quick thoughts for the week...I read a talk this week that spoke about the prophets of Old who worked day in and day out preaching the gospel. Their work was hard, less organized than it is in our day, and it is an amazing example for us. One thing that the talk pointed out was that EVERYTHING they did, they did it for us. We forget about the fact that the prophets of old worked day in and day out KNOWING that one day all of their work would end with the apostasy. They KNEW that the gospel would fall in their time. So why did they work like they did? They did it for us. They did it because they knew, through their stories; we would be uplifted, inspired, and strengthened. THEY KNEW WE WERE COMING. We are here now, in the Latter Days, with the sacred knowledge of the gospel and the assurity that never again will the church fall into apostasy. What a blessing to know that all the work we do, will continue forth until the gospel has spread to every corner of the nation...and every little bit counts! I am so grateful for the men and women of the scriptures who did so much, for us.

I have come to realize lately the promises that we have been given when we live righteously and how powerful they are. It is wonderful to have the opportunity to look someone in the eyes that you hardly even know, and promise them if they live this gospel, they will be blessed. That their family will be happy, that the Lord will provide a way to pay that one bill if they pay their tithing, that they will have the strength to stop drinking if they read the scriptures. My Faith has grown as to the reality and veracity of these promises that we have been given. They are 100 percent true, in a out, through and through, without a doubt. (POET). Trust in the Lords promises to you in the scriptures. Put your name in the scriptures and apply his words to your life... they are true. I love you all! -Elder Johnson

Funny translation of the week- "volta jà viu?" - I'm coming back alright? - (direct translation) = "it returns already did you see?" haha fun stuff!