Taylors Email #15

June 28th 2010

Fam - So I' super excited for you all with island park! That will be aweeesome! I sent a couple of very special pictures to haley : ) Mom, of course you have room for 20 girls, and don't even worry about what you are going to serve...we have the same thing every lunch here pretty much, but we love it. And it is always made with love as is your food...so without a doubt it will be loved. you could even make the same thing every time and it would become your signature meal! ... All your meals are signature, either way they'll love it, and love you! Wow lots of things are happening! Barrett I hope your birthday was great! I heard you got a chocolate cake...yuum : ) 31.... wooooo oldie toldie ; ). Please let Dad have chickens...pleeeaaase. We had a rooster in the kitchen the other day with us while we were eating lunch....cocka doodle doooo! haha Love it. Mom, don't go out of your way to send a package because of this e-mail but if you do send one, i have a little speaker (plugs directly in an ipod) in the drawers in my room it is about the size of a package of lifesavers... anyway maybe you could have someone see if it is working and possibly toss it in... no stress...ever! Dad I found an awesome translation here... your phrase... watch and pray always.... translated, the word 'watch' means vigilance... be vigilant! I really liked that translation! Jeremy returned, that was a switch on the Mercedes plan! But how great that that worked out! The Lord works mysteriously! Be safe on the trip! Dad I'm excited about your garden! AND excited to have your 3 year asparagasjasoie when i come home! Congrats on being the greatest family in the whole world. Love you all!

Friends-
So we had miracles this week...like every week. We taught a woman, Maria, who is 100% prepared. She told us the BOM was the greatest gift she has received in her entire life, before ever reading it, she knew. The spirit touched her heart. I will keep you updated on Maria! I had my first two baptisms this week! Daniel and Ana Carla. They both chose me to baptize them out of fear that Elder Fonseca was too small, it was fine with me! Daniel is 18 and Ana is 19. . They are both talking about missions already...They are going to have to wait a year, but in the meantime, they are going to be strong members of the church, and they have already changed in just 2-3 weeks. The Joy of the gospel is visible in every way! Hales, Daniel was thinking about going to the US to marry you until I reminded him that you don't speak his language and he has to serve a mission first...it was a sad moment...haha jk. I will keep you updated on their progress as well! I passed the first transfer! Elder Fonseca and I are going to stay here and continue working together...tomorrow we will have two new elders living with us...adventures all the time! I'm so grateful for this opportunity to be immersed in the work of the Lord... even in the tough times, there is nothing better than the times when the Lord shows his hand and makes miracles happen. I realize now that before my mission I slacked a lot on my missionary work... We get comfortable with our lives, thinking about what we have to do, and we forget that our primary purpose here is to build Zion. Don't forget your purpose, and keep your eyes alert this week looking for the sheep that might be lost that you can help. The Lord will not leave work unrewarded, and I promise there are more lost sheep than we think! I love you all. Smile this week! There isn't much better than a smile, especially cause smiles are all in the same language…and everyone knows what they mean!

My love again.... - Elder Johnson

Taylor Email #14

June 21^st 2010

Family- I hope everyone is alive there in dangerous Utah! I got some pictures from Stephanie which were fun! Hales I have Kace Redder's email if you can add it

kace.redder@myldsmail.net I was also wondering if you sent or were planning on sending a package just so I have a heads up and what not!

I love you all and I hope all is well!

I hope everyone had an awesome Father's Day! Especially those Dad's out there. I had some time to think about my Dad today, and I was overcome with gratitude. It is more than just the selfless things he does and the love he shares, the kind words that he has to say. Our Dad has truly BECOME a man of God. I know we are all human, but I believe that our Father has given so much of himself to the Lord that the Lord has truly replaced those things has has sacrificed with the Light of Christ. It will always be a challenge to serve and toe forget ourselves, but it has become more or less natural for our Dad...it is just him. I couldn't be more grateful for my Dad who taught me to love, to work, to pray, to study, to think about others... I have a long way to go, but I'm sure that if I shoot for the mark he has set, I will win in the end. Thank you Dad for everything. For the house over my head, the days on the lake, the food on our table, the many times our family room was over flowing with presents (because often times children fail to see past the worldly importance of christmas), the family friends we have because of your life, The smiles, silly jokes, snoring, singing (whistling), and scolds, the hours you have spent praying on my behalf, the lessons you taught me through your example and your words, the trips to the park, the dump, apollo burger etc...which we spent talking about anything and everything, including the latest gospel principle that impressed us. I could truly go on and on. But it sufficeth to say, thank you for being you. Many people love you and have been changed forever because of who you are, and I am one of them.

I love you Dad

All-

So I had the chance to paint (water color) a house this week! We had enough time and liquid paint to pass three coats... it truly turned out beautiful! Often times you can't tell after the first layer what the final effect will be, but if ya just have faith and press forward... okay you can finish the rest of the analogy.

I want to share a quick success story with you real quick. Elder Fonseca baptized 2 people last transfer before I arrived. Their goal was 20. They worked their guts out. Why 2? One of these people was max, I already related his story, 13 years old, quit his job so he can go to church. He is already planning a trip to the temple to do baptisms for the dead and he is already thinking about his mission in the future. The other is Luciene. Luciene is 21 years old. She has 2 kids, and one on the way in 3 months. Her husband left her, and she has no family here so she can't work. Often times when we pass her house she is reading the Book of Mormon on the sidewalk (while watching the kids of course), she is trying very hard to understand the book, but she knows that it has power that has already changed her life. She gets up and makes the trek with us to the bus stop every sunday morning, ontime for church at 8:30. She pays for the bus passage with the money her neighbor gives her sunday morning for cleaning her house throughout the week. I could go on and on about the Faith of Luciene. Often you can see the lack of energy set in, but she is determined to do her best, and she KNOWS that what she has done with her life is the best thing that she could have ever done. I know this to be true as well. The story is simple, and it was meant to be. The church was organized by Christ in his day...because of wicked men it was lost...Joseph Smith had the faith to ask and the courage to complete his calling as our first prophet in the latter days. We truly have the fulness of the gospel here on the Earth, and in the words of Joseph Smith (more or less)... No man who has the joy and blessings of the gospel for himself and his family will be content with this, he will want to share it with the whole human race. Our purpose is to return to heavenly father, and we have the responsiblity to bring others with us! I love this gospel, and I love you all, you are truly my brothers and sister and I and already looking forward to eternity together! In the mean time, lets bring others with us neh? : )

-Elder Johnson

Eu sei que tem não alegria maior do que a alegria você terá cuando você levar uma alma a Deus. Primeiro leve você mesmo!

TAYLORS EMAIL #13

June 15, 2010

Okay here goes - FAMILY - I got letters yesterday! It was fun to read about stuff you already told me on e-mail : ) haha Seriously though! First things first. My tooth is 100 better. No aching, to squirrel face...tudo bem. otimo. We are making weekly visits to the dentist for one more week just to kill whatever it was...I’m totally fine : )

I don’t think I’ll really ever withdraw more money from my debit card, but if you can make sure it always has like 150 200 on it that would be great! How much does it have? I had to withdraw to pay for the dentist, they’ll reimburse me and then I’ll have some spending money.

My Comp Elder Fonseca and I have been VERY blessed with a great friendship, great investigators, and the same desire to work. I’m learning from him everyday and to tell the truth he assumed the role of mother during my tooth episode haha. We were walking the other day and he had a bubble in his throat...couldn’t help but think of Dad and how he always leaves the bubble there ... like my companion did hahaha. Mom I wanted to let you know that I washed my pillowcase yesterday . . . don’t stress I’m a big boy now : )! Our parents are the best. Always trying to do better, draw our family closer and strengthen/serve others...what awesome examples. I’m jealous that you all are going to be hitting the water in not too long. But hopefully I’ll be hitting the water here soon as well! (baptism neh?)

Everyone asks about language… It’s good … there are moments when you can’t say what you want and it's a little disheartening, but Elder Fonseca always reminds me that it is ONLY the spirit that really matters. I tried to teach the lesson at FHE last night, and halfway through I stopped, asked "am I making sense".... and received a partial yes partial no, I kinda wanted to quit, walk away, let elder F. speak....but that moment was really important for me. I had to decide in that moment if I was going to be frustrated that I could speak perfect Portuguese (in 3 months), if I was going to hang my head...we just can't do that... how is the Lord going to work through us if we aren't trying? SO. . . I decided I'd smile...finish the lesson the best I could...and promised myself that next time it would be better, because the Lord will bless those who try. I testify that He does. I testify that God can work through anyone who wants to be a witness of him. Children, adults, grandparents, even someone that doesn’t speak the same language as you. Oh how I miss my family, and love you all. I thank you all for your prayers on my behalf; they are felt with ever step.

- Love Elder Johnson

Friends-
SO I wrote a long family e-mail today, I might slack here... we'll see. Tooth is all better. The World cup starts today for Brazil and the city are going to shut down completely. I cut my hair today (Hales he did pretty good, I gotta admit, even though I look army status). I had a twix yesterday, WOW, so good. We were also promised by the local mob leader that "no one will mess with you" because he is going to protect us...so don’t worry about our health! Okay, trivialities (a word?) are done. I have a couple of thoughts and maybe a question or two. Quote of the week "We awaken in others the same state of mind that we hold towards them" More or less that1s what it said. When you think someone is annoying, the WILL be annoying to you. When you think someone is funny, they will be funny to you. When you think of someone as a daughter/son of God, they will become that to you. Take a minute and think of someone that you have deemed 'annoying' or 'rude' ... try and change that opinion this week : ) Now a question that our president asked our branches here ... "What percentage LDS are you?" Do we leave room for some slack? Just a self check question. I hope it never sounds like I'm criticizing when I write these e-mails; I just share thoughts that have helped me through the week to try and improve. President also suggests that the most important word in the world is THANK YOU. We need to say thank you more! It cost a dollar to send a letter... send a letter to someone who you are grateful for! It might be the best dollar you ever spent! Quick success story. Max a boy Elder Fonseca baptized...he quit work this week so he could go to church. He wears the same thing to church every Sunday because they are the only new clothes he has, jeans and a yellow t shirt. The sincere nature of his prayers touch my heart every time I hear them..."please bless that when my friends ask me to go to their church I won't because I know that this is the true church" "please bless that we will always have bread to eat" . . . He is 12... and without a doubt he is going to change the lives of many. Faith is so powerful. I love the story of my friend Max. And I love you all as well. Keep being yourselves, the best yourself you can be!

- Elder Johnson
PS someone tell me where Clay Frost is going please!

Taylor’s Email

#12 June 7, 2010

Well my family... thanks for your prayers : )

I am doing great... we are going to work it all out, we found a specialist today and he’ll be able to do it... the only frustrating thing is the wasted time...so it seams, but God has a purpose does he not? He does : )

Thanks for all of your uplifting thoughts, I love hearing from each of you and I’m sorry I can’t write back individually to each of you, be assured that I want to! Time Nâo dar por isso. I do not have time. About that package someone mentioned... I really don’t NEED anything! Promise. But if you do send something... pictures are great : ) and . .. American treats are rare here. haha. I love you all. The Lord is watching over me, and our family.

I hope you all thoroughly enjoy Island Park without me! I have thought about Lake Powell a time or two. I’ll admit it! haha

Love you all - Elder Johnson

Friends - So the cat is out o the bag for my family already, but my face became monstrous this week. I had a tooth go crazy and I look like Alvin. To summarize things up, the Lord is in everything and I’m being taken care of : ) I'm not in pain, just waiting for treatment. AND, we were able to get a reference from my dentist here, and the missionaries in their area were able to teach them already. Turns out there are 8 dentists living together, there used to be one that was LDS and they always looked up to her, but they were quite sure why she would party or do things on Sunday with them...Well, now they know why there was something different about her, and they’ll have the chance to accept the gospel! If this was the ONLY reason for going through some mouth pain... then it was absolutely 100 percent worth it.

I wanted to share a quote that I read, "The happiest people in the world are the people who love their neighbors and manifest their gratitude for the Lord’s blessing by their conduct in life" - George A. Smith. The first few words should grab your attention...THE HAPPIEST PEOPLE IN THE WORLD. Is that not why we are here? To be happy? Now we just have to love our neighbor’s right? Almost. There is no love without action, as we learn from the second part of the quote. If we don't SHOW (Act, DO, Make, Demonstrate, etc.) our love in the conduct of our lives, then who are we? Love never has been and never will be something we can just speak, just profess; it is what we do that matters. The phrase is SHOW love for other not, TELL love for others right? I’m convinced that a mission is just that... All our lives we learn how to talk the talk(of the gospel)...how to give a talk in church, bear testimony, offer thanks... a mission is the time when, whether we want to or not, we learn to walk the walk (of the gospel, of Christ). We have 2 years, simple, to put into action all the things that we have ever learned.

I know 100% that I could have done better to walk the walk before my mission rather than just talk the talk. I guess that is my challenge this week... Walk the walk a little more this week.

I love you all - Elder Johnson

PS's. I’m going to look at the stars tonight.... the same ones you will see...AWESOME!

Taylor’s Email #11 May 31, 2010

Family! Dad thanks for the updates and the thoughts. We are always trying to think about how we can improve our finding teaching and converting... focus! Oh this world can be distracting no? Good Luck with the Mercedes.... and I got a good chuckle when I imagined Nate’s face while trying to drive the red truck! Oh... and tell Mom that because it is my money... she can own the Mercedes for one day... now she can say she has owned her dream car! She always used to point that out in my hot wheels... "I want dad to buy me one of THESE" hahha LOVE YOU MOM! AND DAD! I’m glad the family is doing great! I pray for you... even with my investigators haha so I know the Lord is watching out, no doubt in my mind! Our Mom! She is a machine is she not? Always thinking about others and go-go-going. I didn’t realize until now that everyday of her life was like a missionaries daily life! minus the tie and for me minus the sweat. I love you all and I see your faces everyday. Haley sent me a picture of all the girls. First – Jeanine and Steph - love the Hair! Second... my goodness I have the prettiest sisters, nieces, and mother. I just wanted to stare at that picture and think about all of our fun times, how blessed we are, and shed a few tears... time only allowed for one of those... I’ll let you guess which it was!

My love Elder Johnson

Everyone - Jumpin Juh-ho-za-phats. This week was an adventure and a half. As to save you all from worrying about my life, especially my Mother. I’m not going to tell you any of it, I'm alive : ) haha. So don’t worry. Just now that the Lord is watching out, always! This week is crack down week; My Mom asked me if we have been able to teach people, and will they listen... That is one problems here ... everyone wants to 'hear the good word of the Lord' hear... so it is hard to know who is prepared to receive the restored gospel and who just wants to talk. That is where the Spirit of the Lord comes in. We all, those who have been baptized, have received that gift, and we cannot forget! For this reason we are reminded with the same words every Sunday in the sacraments prayers. And for that reason, we need to be there every week! I don’t have too much to say, but I want to relate a story quickly. We are teaching a family that has nothing...why? because before the father accepted the gospel, he drank, and he sold all they had to buy beer. Their lives have changed immensely. They still don’t have furniture, we still sit on the floor to teach, and they still only have a fan and a hammock... but they have the gospel, and one more thing...the Book of Mormon. They have found so much strength in the Book of Mormon, so much that Betanha (Mother) told us yesterday that she began to see a change in her husband when he went 3 days without reading with her. We challenged them to read EVERYDAY together and personally. Don’t take advantage of this gift that we have! There is TRUE POWER within the pages of that book...It cannot be explained, but the results can be seen, in endless numbers of different cases. This family is trying for the 3rd month, to gather 40 Dollars, so they can be baptized, and eventually go to the temple... why? Because they have SEEN the change in their lives, and I have too. Alexandre always says to us "tudo alegria"... or "all joy." That is our purpose. And we have been taught how to make it happen. We are truly blessed, and truly responsible to act upon the things that we know. I have a challenge... Watch only Disney movies this week, and read the book of Mormon for at least 10 minutes, and see if the spirit increases in your life, I promise it will : ) I love you all.

-Elder Johnson

P.S. If you take the challenge and you have an experience you’d like to share. Go ahead and tell me at this address! I can’t respond but I'd love to hear!

TAYLORS EMAIL

Week 10! May 24, 2010

Wow... there is too much to say once again. It’s been a long two weeks since P day. I had a four hour flight a week ago, met president Batt (awesome) and was assigned to my first area Jauzeiro. My first Comp... Elder Fonseca. He is the man, and this is the best city in the world. I then had an 8 hour bus ride through the night... arrived in time to start my first day of real work.

Talk about real work! Missionary work is amazing...It is truly a refining fire... There is no way a person could make it 2 years thinking only about themselves. I’ve still got to improve and get outside of myself. I lean on the lord more than I ever have in my entire life. And he leads us to those who are ready. We taught 50 plus lessons last week and walked more than... I have no idea... more than I’ve ever walked in my life! I sweat like I’ve never sweat before and the sun is literally brighter here. Enough about the temporal ~eh:

We will work, the Lord will bless...It is that simple. The Lords gospel is meant to be simple. That is why conference is so amazing... we have six month to son fuse ourselves and then the leaders of the church have two days to remind us of how stinkin simple it is. Just be obedient, work, and even though we will all pass through Gethsemane, all will work out. TUDO VAI DAR CERTO. It’s going to work out. The language is coming for all who have asked. . . I am not where I want to be of course, who ever is... but I can teach and understand most all people are saying, but oh how sometimes I feel like an infant haha. I’ve learned that for children, MAGIC is a universal language... and that has saved me a few times. People also like to hear other languages... so I’ve survived to say the least. The Lord will watch over his children, he knows them each by name, no exceptions. Don’t forget...a gem can’t be polished without friction, and man can’t be perfect without trial. It is a simple process but it isn’t easy. Call on the Lord, and he’ll sustain you.

Thank you for your prayers, I know they have held me this past week. I love you all. Don’t forget to build the kingdom of God this week.

-Elder Johnson

TAY’S EMAIL

MAY 18^, 2010 Week 9

To All-

It is not P day... so I can’t write anything else or reply/read e-mails.... but I get to write just this one! Can you guess why? I will tell you why... because I’m sitting in Fortaleza right now...AGORA...RIGHT NOW! believe it. I sweat a bit today. Mostly because of my suit, but It’s all good! I met the Assistant from Orem....imagine that! He knows Natalie Carlson Taylor Young Megan miller Dane Anderson...etc. Flashback to home. Anyway...we get to REALLY GO to work tonight. And I’m stoked. I’ll talk to you all in a week. I love you all dearly...My desire is that others can enjoy the blessings that we have as a family..."it is not enough to be satisfied with your families’ happiness, you will desire all mankind to be happy" -Joseph Smith movie. Let’s think about others a little more this week yes? I will try. So can you : )

My love - Elder Johnson