Taylors Email

July 19^th 2010

Week 18

Dad thanks for the insights on knowledge... I decided I would take a picture of the computer screen starting from today on... that way I can read the messages again after... costs too much to print!

Hales! I am stoked about your CD... I’m trying hard to find some speakers we can use in our house, the power cord blew up on mine and I haven’t heard your songs for too long now! But I would love to hear it! If you attach it to an e-mail I might be able to listen here! I’m glad you got to visit with Elder Peterson! He was an amazing elder that president Batt talked very highly of. He is also a great pianist, which he probably didn’t tell you, and I’m trying to at least fill in a little of the space he left. I have been able to share music here a little bit (which I wrote about by hand today so I won’t explain) and it has been great! I also explained a little about my first chance to speak in church yesterday ; ) yahoo! ha-ha. I thought about our family when I read 1 Nephi 7;21 the other day. . . We always started our journeys with prayer, as did the family of Lehi. They had contention within the family, but they resolved it because of Nephi’s great ability to forgive.... but they didn’t just start traveling again... they dedicated their work to the Lord with Prayer, re-invited the spirit, and continued on . .great examples they are!
Hales your faith is very visibly carrying you through everything that has been happened lately! It really is incredible how PERSONAL personal revelation is. It is, and can only be, applied to us. It is for no one else. So awesome. Don’t worry about the dogs. I can’t help you while I’m here, but i do know that if the dogs here can live more than 10 days... the dogs there will never die!
I hope all is well with everyone! I know the Lord is watching out for our family, without a doubt!

My love to all - El-to-the-der, Johnson

All -

Hello, good morning, evening, or night! . . . God showed His hand in our work this week. We spent much time walking, contacting, and doing all we could to find who we needed to find, but it seemed to have no avail...When all of the sudden, Yesterday, It all (relatively speaking) fell into place. We found a girl who was baptized in the city, moved here and lost contact with the church. We taught her, her brother, her husband, and get this... we were walking in the street when a woman called us over to talk... it was her mom. Sometimes I like to imagine how the Lord is overseeing the pathways of Billions of different lives... each one intersecting with the other where it needs to, and in the end, each one ending up exactly where it needs to be. It is for this reason that sometimes things don’t go how we expect!...everything happens in his time, but for our good, always.
For all those couples out there... this is for YOUUUUU! haha I have been ever grateful for the friendship I have with my companion. We have our difference, but we both have the same purpose and the same desire to work. It isn’t always easy, but it is always worth it. I realized this week how much the applies to marriage (weird I know But true). . . As companionships, as we place God before all, truly set our eyes online upon his purposes and for his glory, the Lord will bring us together in a way that couldn’t be achieved by any other means. Also, it is always a good chance for us once a week to sit down and talk about how we have been working, what we could do better, compliment each other, and set goals for how we are going to improve. These are definitely things that can be done also with families, coworkers, couples, etc...
Quick story. We cut a couple a while back, because they weren’t progressing. We first hand witnessed the way Satan is attacking the family when we were present for an outrage because of his drinking. We promised him, Salviano, that the Lord would help him with his drinking problems if he would read and pray... he didn’t keep his promises and we had to cut them. A month passed and we ran into them the other day. He had hit a low point in life, and finally read, prayed, and received an answer... he always came to church with us. What had changed? The example of our friend Max (12) had touched them. They had asked him to buy something for them on Sunday, and when he responded that he couldn’t because it was Sunday, and he couldn’t buy things on Sunday... his example and faith touched them. We will continue to teach them this week and I will keep you updated
\sorry the story was super random, but if you search, it has some principles. The Lord is watching out for his church and all those who are willing to submit to his will.

Love you all - Elder Johnson

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Tay’s Email #17

July 12, 2010

Family-

Ah glad to hear that the trip was awesome... Now you know why I loved it so much! Dad thanks for your inspiring thoughts... your eternal perspective is truly inspiring to me. If you feel like you need a good invention idea let me know... the open minds of the people here have opened my mind even more if you can believe it1! I love you, and you love me, and that's the way it is supposed to be! Mom I will try to get you more mission stories sorry! I know the B.O.M. (with a very basic explanation of what it is) can change the lives of the family in our ward... go for it! Love you all. Barrett and Jeanine I love you both and I'm praying for you. - Elder Johnson

All-
I thought I would start by saying I caught a cracker that fell off oh my desk this week and I thought about all the people who ever thought I was weird because I like things like that so much haha... it was legit. So I was instructed to give more mission stories…so today the message is brief. I've been impressed this week as I’ve thought about the fact that the gospel is simple in every way. That is how the lord made it and how he wants it. We have many scriptures that testify about the powerful nature of simple things. I too know that the simple things make the difference... reading, praying, church, FHE... Their power is significant. Quick activity...think about your favorite quote. Is it simple or super complicated? I realized this week that the quotes we love are the quotes that make the principle of life the most simple. They take things that we are very familiar with and in a very simple and often elegant way, they explain how we should live. The prophet and the apostles don’t make things super complicated... they have a gift for making things plain and clear. I love it : )

So I’ll l try and send some photos to go with the story but if not forgive me. This week we had 3 baptisms. Andrea, Andre, and Mateus. Andrea is the mom and does not have the support of her husband in her decision, but he allowed it. She knows that the gospel is true, and that one day she will live with her family eternally. She made lunch for us the day after the baptism, and bore her testimony to all who were there. It was the first time that I had truly heard and seen in words, what the gospel means to the people that receive it. She cried as she expressed her gratitude for the first missionaries who taught her, for the fact that one day she will see her dad again, for the person who gave her address 1 year ago to the missionaries. The gospel changes lives, and it has already begun to change hers.
This week we have the baptism of Betanha (wife of Alexandre). They have been waiting and waiting to find the money to get married. Two weeks ago we started the marriage with the money ($75) that elder Fonseca and I along with the elders quorum here gathered in order to pay for the marriage. Betanha has been making her way through the book of Mormon and doesn’t feel the same when she doesn’t read. Their son Cauei is 4 and he prays with more sincerity than I have ever seen. Their little girl Jasmine is a 1 old and is starting to say 'johnson' haha. We are SO excited for the baptism of Betanha this week
...Satan knows the good they will do in the church and knowing such he fought against this baptism with all his might. Just when they thought they would have money, something would happen.... someone got sick etc... But the Lord provided a way, after the trial of their faith...which without a doubt they passed. I will never forget the greeting I always receive from Alexandre, a man who has almost nothing, but needs nothing more than his family and the gospel to be happy, 'how are you?"...... response : "sò alegria" . . . "only joy" . . . No matter what, he smiles and welcomes us in to teach more about the gospel that took him from someone who couldn’t control his drinking and turned him into a man who will soon hold the power of God. I love this gospel. I love you all
ELDER JOHNSON

funny trnansltation of the week.... "com licensa, como è que você se chama?" = excuse me, what is your name? Direct translation "with license, how is it that you call yourself?"

Tays Email #16

July 5^th 2010

Fam

First off. . Barrett! Do you know an Elder Sinclair that served in your mission? Supposedly a nerd? His bro in my mission...Elder Way. Who knows! Daniel who I baptized this week sends a hug to you all... from the 'first man that your son baptized' (I don’t know how to spell baptized). So we had an Elder leaving this last week who's family came to pick him up... so i asked them how it has been... they said that they have loved it and that they would suggest it. For me I don't know just cause of the money and all... but it is really up to you! Of course at the end of my mission I will probably have a stronger opinion haha but as of right now I don't think it is a huge deal! I got a couple letters this week from the family and I wrote back today, I always appreciate your uplifting thoughts, they always land at the right time, right when I need them. Boy o Boy am I grateful for each of you! Ill try and send pics, it is a battle ya know?! I hope you all enjoyed the trip! It is grate to know you are all doing well and having a good time together. Yesterday I got a wiff of tuna fish (don't know how because they don’t have it here) and my mind instantly took me to Lake Powell... it was weird... tuna fish and lettuce.. There were even grapes. Our minds are amazing haha. I love you all! Be strong and remember that the Lord has overcome the world... only through him can we do the same! - All my love

Elder Johnson

All-

A couple of quick thoughts for the week...I read a talk this week that spoke about the prophets of Old who worked day in and day out preaching the gospel. Their work was hard, less organized than it is in our day, and it is an amazing example for us. One thing that the talk pointed out was that EVERYTHING they did, they did it for us. We forget about the fact that the prophets of old worked day in and day out KNOWING that one day all of their work would end with the apostasy. They KNEW that the gospel would fall in their time. So why did they work like they did? They did it for us. They did it because they knew, through their stories; we would be uplifted, inspired, and strengthened. THEY KNEW WE WERE COMING. We are here now, in the Latter Days, with the sacred knowledge of the gospel and the assurity that never again will the church fall into apostasy. What a blessing to know that all the work we do, will continue forth until the gospel has spread to every corner of the nation...and every little bit counts! I am so grateful for the men and women of the scriptures who did so much, for us.

I have come to realize lately the promises that we have been given when we live righteously and how powerful they are. It is wonderful to have the opportunity to look someone in the eyes that you hardly even know, and promise them if they live this gospel, they will be blessed. That their family will be happy, that the Lord will provide a way to pay that one bill if they pay their tithing, that they will have the strength to stop drinking if they read the scriptures. My Faith has grown as to the reality and veracity of these promises that we have been given. They are 100 percent true, in a out, through and through, without a doubt. (POET). Trust in the Lords promises to you in the scriptures. Put your name in the scriptures and apply his words to your life... they are true. I love you all! -Elder Johnson

Funny translation of the week- "volta jà viu?" - I'm coming back alright? - (direct translation) = "it returns already did you see?" haha fun stuff!

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!