September 13, 2010

Elder Taylor Ray Johnson

Email #25

FAMILY!!!
So she is here!...or there!! I had random times throughout the week when the thought slammed back into my head... you could be an uncle again..RIGHT NOW haha. What a beautiful little girl and I love her name! Jacie Kate Nelson....beautiful, as I'm sure she is and will be! Super jealous that I can't be there but give her a kiss for me someone... and tell her quickly who her favorite uncle is ;). I don't know if I already reported but my comp is a Ute... I saw the hat Juice and thought about it! Once again, Congrats Heidi and Juice, love you both! Mom and Dad I forgot to tell you that I am in the city Juazeiro Do Norte! The southern tip f the state Ceará! I hope you all had a lovely week...they are flying by for me! like Dad told me, Focus makes time fly! I'll try and stay focused for two years haha.

My love and prayers , elder Johnson

PS Dad... check pg. 144 of Jesus the Christ and tell me what ya think! I thought of you when I read about 'the woman'

ALL-
First I would like to say that I am an uncle on more time! Heidi had her baby Jacie Kate Nelson this week on the 8th! Beautiful little girl. What a blessing that she was born into a family that is based firmly in the gospel of Jesus Christ, there could be no greater blessing.
I wish I had time to tell it all! This week we were chased down by a member and told that a woman had been possessed and that they needed our help. WOW, shocker. Elder Stocking asked me if I was ready for an adventure and we went to see what we could do. We arrived at the house, asked for a minute to ourselves, and prayed for guidance as to what to do. There was already a large group of people watching a pastor try and get the demon out of her. We were both at a loss for words and actions. We both felt after our prayer, that it wasn’t our place to mess with such a situation and in the end we told the member that we would pray for her and the woman. She thanked us for that presence and told us that we had already helped enough. CLOSE ONE! Although it was a strange situation, my faith was strengthened by the faith of that member when she told us that she knew that only someone who truly has the authority of god could act in his name. How blessed we are to have his power her on Earth and at our command if we are worthy and faithful.
The other week we were walking down the street and passed two old women that were playing dominoes on a table on the sidewalk...very common here. Many times the elder people here are already set in their ways and it isn't super effective to contact them. As we passed, I felt strongly that I needed to go back. Long story short, we went back, talked with them, got the address, and went on our way. A few days later we had time and we passed by that house. Turns out, her daughter was in the house along with a few more family members. Her daughter is married and has three children. I could have sworn I had seen her before. We had a wonderful lesson, and are teaching both the mother and the family of the daughter now. She was overwhelmed with emotion as she offered her first audible prayer in who knows how long. Her and her mother both ended up in tears. We will continue teaching and ill update ya! I KNOW that the spirit led us to that family. I know that the Lords hand is in this work. We have to believe!

Love you all! - Elder Johnson

PS. Had an investigator who went crazy when i pulled out my post it notes this week... "WOW, what is...how does it....SWEET!!" haha good stuff : ) tciao!