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)
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