Feb 28, 2011

Fam-

    Well!  Dad got me all stoked with His worldy updates on BYU and also with His amazingly inspired spiritual reminders....thanks Dad.  Do you think you could send a cool BYU newspaper article in a letter or something?  Like you did with Paul Millsap?  I would love you ... ; ) haha.

    Oh family.  I think about you, but just enough to remember how much I love you.  I think about how it will be leaving this amazing work and I can't help but see that it will be a little devastating.  Dont get me wrong... I LOOOVE you all : ) It was a great week and I thank you all for everything!   Heidi I havent looked at your e-mail yet but I am going to and I will try and save all the pictures I can on my USB drive!  

I love you, you love me, we're a happy family...with a knick knack patty whack, give a dog a bone, .... the other part can wait!

                -Elder Johnson

Dad, yes I did say that this is the highs baptising mission in the world!  And I thought about something cool this week . . . Our zone is the highest baptizing (I don't know how to spell baptize or baptising) in the world, and our district was the highest baptizing in the zone this week with 14. . . That would have to mean that we were the highest baptizing district in the world!  WOW that is sooo cool!  

ALL-

             New transfer and a new companion!  Elder R. Ferreira.  Stud of a missionary from Curitiba.  We have exactly the same amount of time on the mission and we will be headed home together!  We will also hit the one year mark this transfer! wOAAh.  I love you all. . . But when I think about how the flight home would be, I know that I will be losing a part of me...having to leave this fulltime work behind... but I have a long year ahead of me with much to do!  

                We were blessed with a strong last week of the transfer being able to baptise 6 people.  I would like to talk about two of them.  Anatalia and Mateus.  Anatalia met the missionaries 3 months ago... and did NOT like them by any means.  She always hid and denied any form of a lesson.  But, as her family members began to go to church and a few were baptized, she softened her heart a little bit, enough to listen to them.  When I got to the area, the visits were still a little hard with her, but she was willing to listen.  We made goal after goal and used a calendar (thanks to my old comp. elder stocking) to track her progress.  As she began to pray, study, and visit the church, she was able to stop drinking coffee, and stop drinking.  It took some more time and effort, but she also stop smoking cigarettes.  Her last problem was that of cocaine.  She struggled until the last week.  I know it won't be easy, but she drew upon the power of prayer and has been able to keep herself clean.  She knows it destroys her life.  She told us of the changes in her family and how their house of impacience and frustration has slowly became more of a haven for all.  Her and her 5 siblings are all now baptized, now we need to let the spirit touch her mom!  A miracle of a baptism and a life changed if you ask me.

               Mateus.  He started going to church with a friend, never having talked to the missionaries.  We were never able to talk to him about the church, because he was always in his bike coming and going... but one day he and his friends showed up and told us that they were going to be baptized.  While speaking with him later, he told has that everything had started to randomly improve in his life in the last two weeks that he has spent time at the church.  Sometimes I wonder how the things we ask people to do, being SO SIMPLE, will be able to changes their lives... I just dont understand it, but it happens, and it is unfaltering.  The night of his baptism, His dad was drunk and wouldn't let him leave the house, so it was postponed a day.  Long story short, we visited his dad, left him a message, asked him if he was going to stop his son from doing something that would improve his life, and he said NO of course.  He signed the paperwork and Mateus was baptised last night : )

We see miracles here.  We are his instruments.  I have to remind myself daily that this is true and that I am trully capable of doing that.  

Love you all.... be strong, believe in yourselves.

-Elder Johnson

Feb 21, 2011

My Family-

         I know I didnt look or sound super happy or excited in the video but I absolutely LOVE the calendar that I got!  It really is on my wall and I dont think there could have been a better surprise than that!  Thank you!  And the member was SUPER excited about his skateboard wheels mom!  My old companion hasnt gotten the flag yet but he will get it tomorrow and He will love it!  

Heidi your little girl is so darling!  I dont know how you get so manycandid shots of her! Thanks for your testimony and updates about the fam!  Juice!  You courageous man you, going back to school!  I get scared just thinking about classrooms... Best of luck in your studies!  See if you cant get some pingpong in now and again with Beej, Juice, Dad, Haley etc haha.

Hales... times is truly flying right?  I hope you have recorded a fireside of yours!  Love you.

Can anyone tell me if Dad is still managing to kmake a BEAUTIFUL plate of food every sunday night?  Hahaha I thought about him when I made a pretty spectacular plate the other day.  

Barrett the truck is a BEAUTY!  Love the front AND especially the tailend!

Mom, your spirit is tangible.  Thanks for your testimony and your thoughts about Greg as well.  I was able to feel in that moment that I am still carrying that mantel, and I need to respect it even more.  I love you!  More letters are in the mail!

Dad you made me laugh out loud when you said you prayed to minimize the guilt and it didnt work haha.  Elders in the Zone are doing well, we have 28 missionaries in the zone...It is pretty big because the staff (secretaries and assistents) are part of our zone as well... but they don't spend a lot of time with us!  I pray for the strength to be able to teach and inspire them to have the desire to get out and do.  We know that the Lord can do a LOT with just an honest desire.  Prayer is the souls sincere desire!  Thanks for you thoughts Dad... why did BYU have to do so well this year?  Love you all

p.s.  - (what did you think of that truck?)  mom did you find out if there is an e-mail from Elder Kyle Hansen that I could get each week?

TO all-

           The week flew by again... I dont think that is going to stop happening.  I made some delicious cookies this week and I plan on making more tonight. . .  I will be leaving the recipe for some of the familes that we have lunch with haha.  11 months.  Almost unbelievable.  Greg Meacham if you are reading this, I am sure you remember when you hit that mark, and it probably seems like it was yesterday!  

                So a few days ago we were waiting at a door and some people passing by called us over to talk.  Long story short, all three are member that havent gone for over 15 years.  BUT, they have a bunch of kids (15,11,10,8) that they want to be baptized.  They were able to visit the church with us a few times during the week and also on Sunday.  After our baptismal service sunday (Jairo who was baptised this week), the 15 year old told me that she was super excited for her baptism.  Nothing is better than hearing something like that!  Someday, the strength of these young family members will bring the rest of the family into activity...that is if we dont do it first!  

We had an activity at the church and I was thrown into leading "big booty", a common youth game in the USA. . . it worked out great and I have manage to keep a mystery the real meaning of big booty.  It is the same game just that when we play here it sounds like this "Biggie Boody"...I love brasilian.  

Just a few hilarious comments that were made by the 9 year old while we were teaching about the Sabbath and the Word of Wisdom.....

"So. . . we have to be baptized, recieve the spirit, and endure to the....." - - - then he burst out "until the sun rises!"  hahaha I bout died.

"God created the plants, animals, birds, insects..... and He saved for very last......(man right?)"------ (He yells out) "THE BUTTERFLY" . . I didn't keep in the laughter. haha 

"So we cant drink, smoke, use drugs, drink coffee, or tea.....". . . . "OR CHAMPAIGN!" . . . haha "right right right felipe....we cnat drink that either" haha  

I also asked "Who here has never messed up in life?...." The six year old inthe family that was there. . . (his hand shot up) hahaa "WELL congrats!!" Laughed at that one too]

talking about Faith we use the wind as a comparison sometimes. . . "Who here can see the wind?"  (same little boy raises his hang)  ..."alright, what color is it?" . . . "WHITE!". . . haha (all the other kids in the room respond)..."no it is CLEAR!"

gotta run.  .  We have 6 baptims that are lined up for this week. . . and I didnt get to tell you about our baptism from this week but he is a great young man who will be able to serve a mission while I am still here!  

Love to all

-Elder Johnson

Photos:

SUPER PDAY with our zone.

I just dont have time here...sooo... I woke up at six to make cookies hahaha.   yippee!  They were super good and we even bought pizza that night to eat with them.  Thanks for the recipe Mom!

A cool wig I found.... the famous carnaval is coming up and everyone is getting crazy!

My wall!!

Feb 14, 2011 Week #45

Fam - 

     Well another week has gone soaring by. . .  Ididnt get much update from all, but Mom filled me in on the details of the birthday celebration!  She even did me the favor of listing ONE BY ONE all of the american food that you all ate that doesnt exist here. . . thanks mom ; ) hahaha.  Beej sent me a beautiful picture of him Nean Mom and Hallie. . thanks beej!   Mom I got your letter with the pictures that Hallie and Sav drew for me. . . SO cute!  tell them I loved it . . put a genuine smile on my face!  Love to all of you.- Elder Johnson aka Taylor Ray, uncle teelor, bud, tay, "ya boob", taylor Jay, etc.

Ps tried hard to send stuff for y'all today!

ALL-

                    HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!  I hope you all loved someone today haha.

   I would have to say that this was the fastest week of my mission . . it really flew by!  I cant believe I am sitting at this computer again writing this e-mail!  I hope the videos and pictures were enjoyed by all.  I just spent a large quantity of money on ingredients to make chocolate chip cookies. . I am super stoked!  

quick stories. . . The other day while waiting for the bus, a man came up to us from behind and just started telling us a joke.  He started right on telling it and halfway through he forgot it. . .he keep talking to himself debating whether it was this way or the other. . . the whole time I was trying to not make him feel dumb.  In the end he gave up and left just as suddenly as he had come.  But after 7 steps he turned back around to try once more.  He told a joke that neither of us got and then left again...never to return again.  I think it is funny how such crazy random things become so normal on the mission haha ... oh dear.

This week we taught a man who is a cop.  He answered the door with no Shirt and with his guns in his pants. . . Just to show who was in charge.  He accepted our visit and we began to get to know him.  When we asked if we could pray he also accepted...but when we told him to simply cross his arms and close his eyes...his reaction caught us both off guard hahaha.... I will stay here with my eyes closed standing up, keeping watch over my house. . . while making a gesture towards his gun and his front door haha.... I think he thought we were going to try and take over his house by using pray as a disguise and sudddenly attacking him to take his weapon.  He talked with me in English a little, told us about how he thinks religion is a myth, and we simply left our testimonies and the most powerful tool we have, the Book of Mormon.  If he reads and prays, he will know.

I wish I could put in everyone that has never served a mission, the vision that you gain while you are on one.  I liked President Nelson's talk from the last conference when he talked about being examples of the faithful.  He gave a few simple suggestions as to how we as members can be better missionaries.  I wish I had taken these counsels more seriously before the mission.  Just some of the things that were suggestedÇ

Invite someone to FHE, an activity, or to church on Sunday.......give someone the book of mormon and tell them to read it in the spirit of prayer. 

And he lists a few other things.  I know I am from Utah, but I can count on two hands the number of times I did these things before my mission... And I know there are people I could have helped.  When was the last time you took a non - member to church with you?  I wish I would have asked myself that before the mission.  

"THIS PRODUCT, IN RETAIL STORES NEAR YOU!"

or you could say

"NON MEMBERS, IN NEIGHBORHOODS NEAR YOU!"

Alright...horrible comparison to PRODUCTS... I know... but you get the picture... they are waiting everywhere!   

I will stop preaching.  Sorry... I just wish so badly that I could go back and have a different vision!  I am eternally grateful for what I have learned on my mission.  For the people I have met, taught, and learned from.  The feelings I have felt, both good and bad.  I am grateful for my family and my friends.  I am grateful for a Heavenly Father that doesnt even take a P-day!   I hope you are all being blessed in your current work, studies, relationships, etc.!  

Love to all on this lovely love day 

Elder Johnson

PS. . . if you see my sister Haley....give her a hug and tell her happy birthday for me!  (Feb 15th)

Feb 7, 2011

FAM-

HI!!  It was a swell week:)  Just cut my hair... woot!  

Mom my shoes fit greeeat!  You don't need to send me anything!  I think the person that added you on facebook is someone from my last ward! she wont bite.... and neither will my old puppy dog rudy. . . dont worry mom...he is happy... and if he isnt... search for a picture of the dogs in the street from brasil and show it to him.... he will be grateful for his pillow!  

Dad!  Go Cougs!  Jazz. .. shmazz.  Good luck with the mazda!  I forgot to take a picture of the truck here but I will soon!  How didthe meeting go with the guy about the red truck?  I talked to president about the rareity of our interviews for you and he said that when he asked, he said that they are giving missionaries less time in the presidents office to get them ready to be MEN after the mission...cause after the mission we wont have a meeting every 6 weeks to see if the life is inline with the gospel... I thought that was really interesting!

Hales... thenks for your message!  It made me think of all the lyrics to  RESCUE ME . . . I love the lyrics of that song!

Heidi!  Thanksfor thefacebook updates!  I also told Jenny Porritt in a letter that if you arent using my camera then she has the rights to use it!  That is only if no one else in the family wants to use it!

LOVE YOU ALL   >.>.>  I pray for you all much : ) -  Elder Johnson

oh mom!  Can you find out if Kyle Hansen sends aweekly email that I could get each week?

Interesting fact. . . Brasil Fortaleza is the highest baptizing mission in the world : O  

Field is white and the prophet called an inspired president!

All-

    So, for those of you who wonder what a normal day is like on the mission, I thought I would lay one out...

6:20 - Look at the clock and be grateful for the last 5 minutes of sleep. 

6:30 - get up, shower, eat, do some pushups, get ready...

8:00 - In church clothes, and all,set up a fan and start studying whatever you would like (for me that is the BOM, the Liahona, and Jesus the Christ)

9:00 - Study with comp ..pray, talk aboutwhat you studied, bear testimony and choose something else to study together.

10:00 - get ready to leave

10:30 - Pray, bear testimony to eachother, recite the mission purpose, head out to work.

12:00 - get to lunch

1:30 - Leave a message with the family that made lunch for you and head off to your first appointment.

2:30 - 9:00 - Visit the people you scheduled with, if it falls through, visit a less active, knock doors, visit old investigators (all according to your planning for the day and the spirit)

9:00- Get home and plan for tomorrow, shower, write injournal, maybe eat, pray

10:30 - Lay in your bed and let your tired body zonk.

avg. of 3-10 lessons in a day,  and 30 cups of water haha.

Funny story. The other day we were fasting and my comp killed my with a hilarious comment.  Out of NOWHERE he said..."Hey,do you think it would be bad if I chewed on Dental floss?" hahahaha He was joking but I died...hahaha oh dear.

Also, a funny guy with a guitar showed up whenwe were eating lunch the other day.. . He sang to everyonethere (that didnt want to here him) and as we were leaving called us over sohe could chastise us and recite scripture. . . it took us 10 minutes just to say bye!  Then a little boy who shines shoes followed us and asked questions for a good quarter mile.  Oh how the mission is an adventure!  

Igor (12), who was baptised this week, is awesome : ) He is already reading the BOM consistently and trying to get his inactive brother (14) to do the same. .. . Soon he will be passing the sacrament!

Love you all!  Tchau! 

Ps   TJ  - thanks for imagining at night in Midway for me! haha

Jan 31, 2011

Fam-

Wow!  It was an adventurous week for sure.  THhanks for the ecard Heidi! haha.  Mom and Dad... your questions I will answer in the large part to all okay?! Deal.  

Dad, you can always like trucks okay?  You don't have to grow up... let me know if you sell the Red truck... change is always fun right?  I have a sweet truck across the road here that I will take a picture of soon.  baby blue.  : )  Good to know your sleepover with Hallie belle was awesome!   Tell her I would love to baptise her but she cant wait that long!  cutie.  MOM...got my shoes and garmetns and shirts... thanks : ) !!  I am using my garments and already used a shirt...as well as the shoes!! I am breaking them in a day at a time!  They have a nice thick sole...  just what i needed!  I am pretty sure I wont need shoes for the rest of the mission : )     Thanks  for the cheese and meat!   I still read Kallies quote everyday!

Love to all. . . it was a great week. . . new adventures around every corner!

-Elder Johnson

All-

Crazy, fun, and fast week... I started having crazy dreams which is always a sign that we are working as hard as we should...whew. haha.  

New area :  

Benfica

Comp - Elder J. Santos, brasilian from Ribeirão Preto, awesome guy- my new best friend.  We have a blast together and have a great time teaching as well.  He has the gift of being able to sleep and plan at the same time at night, impresive.  

Language is going well, it will never be prefect, but it is always nice when a kind person says "wow you learned fast" or "you talk better than us!" . . even though you know it isnt entirely true, it makes you feel good.  

I ate mike and Ikes this week... and  a Reeses. . .UHHHHHH so good. haha.

I was able to do some baptismal interviews this week which was really fun, getting people excited for the baptism and telling them how excited I am for them!  They think it is only them that is nervous for the interview. . . nope!  It is also humbling to know that the Lord trusts us missionaries to know if someone is prepared for such an important ordenance.  

We are teaching a single mom that will be baptised this week and i wanted to share something she said.  We were trying to figure out how she would get to church with her little girl, it is pretty far.  When we saw that it was going to be tough for someone to come by she said "whatever happens I can just go alone...I dont know where it is, but someone who has a mouth can learn on the way" . . . that is faith!

We met an awesome family this week that was full of good questions and just the right doubts.  Those of you who have served missions are familiar with those doubts for sure.  They also think all americans are crazy haha.   I hope I can how them we arent ALL crazy.  We will teach them more this week and, if they are willing to DO what is required, they will be baptized  : )

More stories to come!

-Kye pit engaged?.

I heard Carley Cosgrove was getting there? so cool rock on eternal families!....we are old!

P.S. - - - Just an update- I cant´, and dont look at my facebook but sometimes my sister sends me brief updates from it. . so thanks to all for you birthday wishes!

This sign says "PROHIBITED the entrance of strange people"  hahaha

Our BEAUTIFUL chapel

We ate all you can eat this morning... I almost died.. . I ate cereal with chocolate MILK!  Love.

Played soccer in the rain today. . . I am not THAT bad at soccer... it was a blast.  

My comp!

I got burnt the other day, second time on the mission. . . we were out at noon...woops!

My aweome christmas tree with notes from many of you guys... thanks, I loved it!