June 27, 2011

Fam-
       Mom and Pop.  I got some letters today!  There was an emergency transfer here because they are opening up a new area here in the interior that has never had missionaries.  In the end, we got letters.  AND, I got your package Mom!  I know that I'm weird, but I like suspense, so I haven't even opened it yet. . . it is just on my bed waiting. . . I am VERY excited : )  Dad I got your letter about waiting 2 -3 weeks and then heading down here.  .  . that does sounds like a great idea!  Then we could all get to know some of the beautiful areas here as well neh?  Lets stick with that idea then!  Like you said, we won't have to worry about certain dates and what-not.  AND. . . I missed Father's Day Dad, at least in e-mail form.  I know you know how much I love you but if you didn't know (which I didn't know), now you know.  You are my hero.  You will get your letter soon (I hope!).  
     Dearest Barrett!  I hope you also had an awesome birthday!  Your letter is on it's way!  I got some pictures of your birthday from Hales, so fun : )  Your family is beautiful!  You made my week with your e-mail and the family picture you sent last week!  keep me posted!  Love, Your bud, Elder Johnson.
Hales- that picture of mom with the grandkids is SO perfect! Oh man. . . everyone is growing so fast!  Someone take a short video of all the grandkids to send to me?!  

All- 
 
       One more week flies by!  We baptized a young man named Carlos this Sunday.  He was really excited and was also supposed to be baptized with his 19 yr old sister but she bailed at the last minute : (  We went to pick him up at his and set off for the chapel.  After 5 minutes we turned around and his mom and his friends mom were running after us!  They had decided that they wanted to come watch, what a blessing!  It was a great service and his mother is loving everything about what her kids are learning.  Everything ran smoothly until my comp stepped on Carlos' toes after the baptism. . . he cried a little bit (he was super sensitive last night, I think he's a mommas boy like me) but he got over it!  
       We are teaching an AWESOME man in our area right now, who could be the light at the end of the tunnel for the church here.  He Is trully searching. . . but he works every Sunday morning. . AH.  We got him started reading the Book of Mormon and he surpised us pretty good on our second visit.  We went in, chatted quickly, prayed, watched the video about the first vision, testified, and prayed to end the lesson.  We were determined to be quick and leave the spirit in their home; not wear out the welcome.  The spirit surely was there.  The situation was perfect.  No noise, no distractions, good tv, nice sound. . . just perfect.  As we left, you could tell he wanted to talk more.  He got up and said, "I started the Book of Mormon, that Nephi is a persistent one neh?. . . Went back to the city with faith, found that guy drunk on the floor, and it was easy from there neh?"  Haha.  We were stoked that he had read and understood.  Pray for him!  Marcondes is his name.  (MAR-CONE-JEES)  
      One more experience.  We were teaching the first lesson the other day, and for some reason the strong realization hit me that they were NEVER going to understand the message if the spirit didn't testify.  I began to pray my heart out as my companion talked about Joseph Smith.  After a minute of fervent prayer, I trully FELT the spirit come into that room.  It was the most directly answered prayer I think I have ever had.  I kept my eyes fixed on my companion, praying that everyone was feeling what I did.  We left, and later as we were talking about the lesson, my comp said, "I can't believe Neide (the mother in that lesson) cried during the first vision."  I about screamed with happiness!  I never took my eyes off of my comp so I didn't see her, but she had truly felt the spirit enter into the room as well!
     Last thought.  I started reading about the wars in the book of Alma and I learned a great lesson this week.  Alma 43:38 is where I found it.  The Nephites had protected every vital part of the body before they went to war as to not leave themselves vulnerable to anything.  In this case, every person has the same "vitals" to be protected (heart, head,... etc.)  In the spiritual application. . we all have different vital areas.  Each of us has a different weakness and many times we are the only ones that know about that weakness.  We have to pinpoint it, and do everything to fortify it, as to not be vulnerable to any attack.  I realized also that THIS is why we can't compare ourselves with other people. . . "ah, so and so does this and that, and goes to this place and so on and so forth. . . I can too" . . . It doesn't work like that.  We have to do everything to protect our weaknesses and make them strengths, even if it means not doing something that seems so normal to the world or even another member.  I don't know if it made as much sense for all of you as it did for me . . .  but it helped me out a lot this week.  
    I hope you are all doing great!  Life goes on. . . we continue to move forward in this great plan.  It is perfect!  As I heard an Elder say yesterday . . "Everything is possible in God's hands, and in God's hands, are we." . . Believe it!  Try to feel it!  
                                                                             Love you all  -  Elder Johnson

June 20, 2011

Fam- 
     Before I forget. . . Dad, do you have contact with people that you taught on you mission?  I have so many questions for you and Barrett when I have the chance to ask them all! haha.  Hales and Heid thanks for the pictures!  Wow. . . first run on the lake already . . that just made my stomach rumbly . . . funny that you mentioned J-dawgs Hales. . . just yesterday I was trying to explain to Elder Redd what a J-dawg is. . . that is a toughy.  What Day is Fathers day?  It is different here in Brasil and I don't what to miss it. . . if I miss it in the e-mail you can be sure that I will be sending by snail-mail.  

To all - 
         So . . . this week we got dragged into a terrible situation of accepting food and wasting time at a members house.  Right when we wanted to leave they told us they were making some food and it would be quick.  In the end, we were going crazy because of the helpless situation and we both ended up eating a large plate of sardine stew. . . it wasn't bad in all reality . . I just wasnt really hungry hahaha.  They sent us home with a ton of lemons, bananas, etc.  
       This morning on Pday we went with the whole zone to a factory of the best  soda in the world, that doesn't exist in the states yet  . . . but they have the goal to be there before 2026!  It is called Cajuina. . . from the SÃO GERALDO (saint jerold ; ) ) company.  It was fun trip and the elders enjoyed the free soda at the end. . . I sent a pic : ) 
       Other sidenote.   . I found out this week that Jim Carrey is a member of the church . . What?!  I had no idea haha.  Someday he'll wake up to a tough reality right? haha.  
       About the week...we had a fallen baptism last night that was a huge headache, looking for someone who wasn't home and letting people down that were there waiting. . . well this week we should be able to close on some great baptisms that have taken a while.   Those that take the longest are often the ones that stay strong!   President Batt will be ending his mission in 7 days and we will be getting a new mission president who will be brazilian this time!  That'll will be an interesting change!  President Batt is an awesome man (who we noticed never hugs his missionaries haha) who has changed this mission greatly and, for those who observed him, taught us many things through his example and his many words of wisdom.  One thing that shows his humility and will always stick with me was when he told us... if you do anything when you get back, or make any promise with God. . .make the promise to be 100 percent on your visits.  You family will be blessed by your example, you will grow, and others will be blessed.  His theory seemed to simple be. . . Be good, obedient, do more than you did yesterday, work hard, be blessed. . .  He always made it seem so simple to be a great member and happy person. . which is it!  
     Last thought . . Alma 39:10 . . . Alma leaving some words of wisdom for Coriantumr.  He teaches something that I wish I would have learned a lot earlier in my life!  We have so much to learn from our parents and our siblings.  I am trully embarassed for the years I spent being a hot-headed adolescent losing many chances to strengthen my family relationships that will be my eternal ones.  I don't know when I finally woke up, but I know that from that day forward I have learned so much and made friendships that mean the world to me!  I thank my parents for giving me every chance possible and my brothers and sisters for being stellar examples, love you all!  I send my thanks also to all of my friends who have shown me how to love your family and siblings!  
   Abraços e beijos to all . . . haha.  -Elder Johnson

June 13, 2011

To all-
     So we were, and will be again today, the first missionaries to step foot in a city here called OLD MISSION.  We are headed out there again and it'll be fun to see the crazy looks we'll get haha.  Success of the week:  We have the goal for each companionship in the zone to 'adopt' an innactive man and try to get him re-activated.  The man we are accompanying was at church Sunday and I really think he was just lacking a simple visit and the last little boost to get him back.  He left for a while because he was never able to stop drinking, but he will do it this time and we are excited about hit potential to change the branch here.
    I loved Alma 29: 14-end. . . How Alma didn't get as excited for his own success as he did for the success of his brethren.  That is truly charity in its purest form!  Wishing the best for all and rejoicing in the success of others.  If everyone had the same attitude this world would be translated!  I spoke in church yesterday, and blessed the sacrament again . . . that is what happens in a branch of 30 active people and 6 missionaries. . . almost the only men.  We love it here and we have a great time together.  I plan on flying my kite today that I made last p-day . . I am really excited : )  
    The other night we were teaching and there was a power outage.  We were able to continue in the dark and we were even able to take the coffee out of two houses so that a few families could start obeying the word of wisdom.  As we left into the street in the dark, I couldn't believe the beautiful sky that I saw above me.  I finally understand the twinkle twinkle little star song. haha.  The stars were literally twinkling and SO bright.  Well, being the me that I am, I got thinking.  .  .  And I realized that I never would have seen that if the lights of the world, the false lights that are only good for a certain amount of time and will one day burn out, had not gone out.  We have to seperate ourselves from the world and we can't get accustomed to the lower level of light that the world offers.  Spiritually and materially speaking.  As president Batt said.  The world WILL GET WORSE.  We must be separated, but we also have to make sure that we aren't slowly drifting with the world as well.  So as to be be today where the world was 10 years ago.  Stand alone in the right!  
    We have an investigator that is firm as can be, but because of her husband won't be baptized.  She will be a firm church-goer forever but I don't know i she will ever be able to be baptized.  Miracles are happening. . . Maybe not how we want, but they are!  Love you all muito.  
-Elder Johnson

PS.  . . Weird englis word of the week.  FRECKLE.  Say that one outloud 20 times!  

June 6, 2011

Fam-
    Dear Famly. . . the weeks are so meshed together and all the communication that I don't even know if I even sent letters/emails to justin or nean. . . so I would like to tell you both that I think I sent them : ) haha love you both and hope your special days were just that!   All is well here . . . healthy, happy, huring and hungry (joke mom . . . I don't hurt and I rarely am hungry!)  Love you all.  Believe it.  -Elder Johnson

Thanks for the pics Heidi Steph and Beej!  Love the one of all three of you on the bridge I believe it was!  or by water at least haha and savvy's grin of all grins!  : D Holy cow it is SO great to see all of your lovely faces and my neices and nephews. . . I am just here grinning at this screen  hahaha The one of christian in those goggles KILLS me! hahahaha and the transfer from Linny's messy hair to brushed hair...so cute beej..not you, her ;)




All-
    Our whole zone went to zone conference this week!  Doesn't sound very impressive but it is : ) .  20 missionaries, 10 hour busride, and some great spirit-guided trainings.  One of my favorite things that I heard at conference is something that can be applied to all of our callings in the church.  Elder Cassimiro said, "we are not fulfilling our purpose leaving the house, walking around and visiting people."  But aren't we here to teach?  The point was that we have to be maintaining the same vision that the godhead has and working with the same love that the have as well.  We have to be trully inviting all to come unto christ and just by making a visit and teaching a lesson that doesn't always get done.  Why are we doing what we are doing and are we really focused on the main purpose or just going through the motions?  Loved that thought! 
    We visited a few people that I baptized in Fortaleza as well!  Haha the mother pretty much offered us her kitchen!  She had made something called feijoada . . which is like a black bean stew. .  . pretty good.  But I wasnt hungry haha.  All that was left on the plate were a few bones covered in fat and she was still saying  "You guys are going to eat ALL of that! Pick it up and eat it!" . . so there I went with no help from the elder that was with me . . . stripping these bones of all the edible substances . . yes, all the fat as well . . don't gag ; ) haha.  It was so fun to see them all! 
    If your happy and you know it, and your face'll surely show it . . . - Proverbs 15:13.  A cool scripture I heard this week. 
    I am reviewing Mosiah and I loved chapted 4 that I read.  In vs. 11 he gives us what I call King Benjamin's formula.  He tells us what we must do and then he tells us what the results will be in the following verses.  We must humble ourselves with the deepest humility.  Each day on the mission I realized how involved God is in our lives and far I have to go.  The mission is really a great time to see where we are lacking. . . but everyday can be and is another chance to ask ourselves those same questions 'where am I weakest, what am I lacking, what can I change?' (as well as Mosiah 2:41).
    It was like christmas when I spent an hour (due to the zone conference) in the mission office just downloadig conference talks.  Now we are far away from the mission office but I have 50 + awesome conference talks to listen to!  If you haven't checked the church website out lately, give it a look-sy . . . it is a playground of uplifting ....ness!
  I love you all. . . each and everyone.  No, but seriously. 
-Elder Johnson

Pictures:

My President who is done in three weeks. . . : (
Elders from my groupd
THE cutest little girl on the planet, we baptized her sister and brother
The kite I am making!
Part of our area. . m y comp and I
The whole zone on the bus sleeping haha.