Elder Johnson

August 16, 2010

Email #22

FAM-
AH! Thanks to all : ) Barrett I really needed to hear your words about your mission experience. It is nice to know that you understand that feeling of knowing what you want to say and sometimes not being able to... but you are right... I’m reaching the point where I don't have to worry so much about the words and i can think a little bit more about what I am going to teach etc. Thanks for the picture that you sent me Steph, Haley.... i really love seeing what you guys are doing! There is nothing like it... even if I can only see it for 20seconds haha. I know those little ones are growing up, talking more, and are going to be HUGE when I come home... but we don’t talk about coming home yet ;) . . I think about home mostly when I have a strange business idea. Like my churro business that I will have one day. I'm loving the area still...cant believe i have been here in the same area for 3 months! It will be pretty weird;hard to change... but I have at least 5 more weeks here : ) Thanks for putting money on my card mom... worked out perfectly! I hope it was my money! . . ... . ... . .. . .... . I'm turning dark here...but only on the arms and face... my neck line is insane haha, oh the tan lines of a missionary! My new companion is from SLC... Elder Parker Joseph Stocking! We had a great week and he is a great missionary. I already learned a lot this week... like how missionaries work differently, but are always working with the same goal in mind... and when we are doing our part, no matter how YOUR PART differs from another person's, the Lord makes thing happen : ). . Thanks again for the Updates. . . love hearing about your lives! - Love Elder Johnson

P.S. . . This week I received a package of worms, hot tamales, ties, letters (so cute-from the girls), tootsie rolls, and letters....It was a Christmas in Agosto! Thanks so much! We at it all already!

Friends -

ALÔ! Eu sei que vocês Não estão entendendo isso, mas eu queria colocar algo nessa lingua so para dar um poco evidência que eu estou aprendendo, não só estou aqui de ferias! amo vocês! Foi uma boa semanacon certeza, MeuNovo Companheiro È Otimo!

I had a great week with my new Companion Elder Stocking from SLC Utah! Even though we only talk English. . . we connect on a lot more levels than I could connect (socially) With Elder Fonseca...really only because we are from the same place haha. He is a hoot, and even resembles Fully from Monster's inc. when he smiles. I don't know if there is someone on Earth that I just absolutely couldn't get along with, and I'm grateful that the Lord has given me that blessing! . . . Knock On Wood!
We have a bunch of investigators right now.. the hardest part is truly knowing WHO is going to progress .... and making sure that we give everyone sufficient chances to accept the gospel... all while not wasting time and being as effective as we can. To say the least we are learning to plan and work effectively. We had 3 baptisms that were stopped this week because parents didn't allow.... they think that the kids (10, 15, 16) aren’t old enough to know what they want. I testify that this is a lack of Faith and nothing more. The Lord can and does speak to each and every one of his children, without regards to his age. The spirit can't teach in a manner that no human can... because he knows us, and he can communicate directly with our soul!
We had a baptism this week! It was a surprise too! Jansum (Johnson (sounds like)) Sabrina Gomez Da Silva...we had miraculously found this family (Mom Dad Sabrina, Simone, Paloma) a while back, knocking doors (random impulse I had...The spirit? yes!)... and we were stoked! The 3 time we returned, they had searched on the internet and decided that we were living rules of a man (JS) and not of God... To say the least we had to cut them. 3 or 4 weeks later Sabrina appeared as we were teaching her neighbor... Long story short she started listening to the lessons alone, and going to seminary. She stopped drinking Café and now is going to be a strong addition to the young women here! The Lord Works in strange ways!
I know the Church is true. The gospel is simple, and it was meant to be that way. I'm grateful to have been born into a family that places the gospel first and taught me to try and do the same. I know the gospel changes lives. Em Nome de Jesus Cristo Amém

I love you all! -Elder Johnson

I made a cool contraption last night. I decided I'm going to fix my duck footed-ness or whatever it is. I tied the toes of my socks together and put them on. This forces my toes to stay together and not fall sideways when I layon my back. I am going to sleep with these socks until I start walking with my feet straight and not turned out! haha inovation of the missionaries. I also have been using the ladder on the side of the house for pullups... It is amazing what ya cando with an open mind and a little bit of creativity! (like make kites out of one pieace of news paper and string...like lots of people here!)

TAYLOR

Brazil…Week #21

August 9, 2010

FAM –

Well, I don't even know what to say! Sounds like The Lord is truly watching out for our family. Before I forget I just wanted to Tell Hallie Belle that I pulled out an old Letter today when I was organizing and I got a little teary eyed because of the tender note and picture "I am so excited for you to serve your mission, I will miss you, I love you - Hallie" . . . wow I can't believe how pure children are, even in their worst moments. No Wonder Christ commanded us to become like a little child, meek and lowly in heart, willing to submit..... Thanks Hallie" Mom go ahead and use this e-mail if you would like. I ended up having to pay the dentist bill because th mission doesn't cover it....so if you can make sure I have 200 dollars on my card that woooould be great! -Love you all

All -

For all those who are on missions that will get this letter... My name is Elder Taylor Johnson and I'm in Fortaleza Brasil...transfer 2 just passed and I said goodbye to my trainer, he is an amazing elder who truly showed me what a missionary should be like. He lived the law of 'forget yourself and go to work' like you'd never believe it. He never thought about his own self...he was always thinking about an investigator, a member, a lesson that he was preparing, or something related to the work. I will continue in my efforts to channel my mind and focus solely on moving the work forward.

Miracle number 1: My good friend Daniel that we baptized a month ago returned from a month long trip. Everyone is always leaving the city and it can be pretty hard to find people at home sometimes. The people with money go on trips, and the people without money can't pay for the bus ride to go to church. Anyways, Daniel went on a trip for a month right after his baptism.. Which left us a little worried about him. He came back this passed week and when we called to remind him about church the reply came over the phone "Claro, Já está pronto já" Of course.. I'm already ready! Miracles : )

Miracles #2 : We are teaching four boys that are 13 14 15 and 17...really good friends, and they are truly interested in the gospel. They have read, stopped drinking café, and are going to church. The miracle? They don't have money (being young boys who play video games) to pay for the bus. This Sunday they were at church after having walked 45 mins - 1hr to get there. The power of the spirit moves us to action, without a doubt.

Miracle letter C: I wish I could introduce you all to A little girl, 7 years old, who is reading the book of Mormon for her dad who doesn’t read well, and woke herself up early Sunday morning, got ready for church, and waited for us to come by. Her name is Tamyres. Her faith is unshakeable. We are teaching her parents and we were excited to pick them up for church (on foot) the other day...when we passed, they didn’t answer the door and we had to leave. Come to find out they didn’t have money for the bus, and the father didn’t want to be embarrassed. Tamyres had gotten ready and was waiting to leave....... she cried when she found out that she wasn't going to be able to go to church. She, through her faith, is going to hold her family together, and one day they will be sealed in the temple for all eternity.

I apologize for my lack of ability to relate stories, but I tried. I know God lives, he is a God of miracles and we see them everyday all around us. I know he keeps his promises and he will make out of us what we put forth. I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is on the Earth again, and I am eternally grateful to be part of it, as well as sharing it with the people here in Brasil.

Love - Elder Johnson

Elder Johnson

August 2, 2010

Week 20!!

Dear Family -
I hope you all had a blast in St. George! I bet you all sweat like me while you were there! I'll admit, I wouldn’t have been stoked about the run...but I would have done my best! haha How exciting that Hales is back at home with Mom, Dad, and Rudy! I want to see a picture of the playroom! Maybe of the lake that you visited...etc. Thanks for the picture you sent Hales. The people here never fail to tell me I have a beautiful family, and that I look like my mom and dad as well haha. Mom thanks for the update on Jake Wanamaker...super sad situation...Maybe you can send me his address next week or something? I'm trying to stay on top of the letters and such! I pray for you and thank the Lord for my awesome family continually. I Love you all. Elder Johnson
P.S. when is this little baby of Heidi's coming?!
PPS I had a great business idea this week.. it is going to be big. . . churros. : ) with filling. . . . "CHURRO "NA MAGINATION" . . create your churro (filling, coating etc.) and choose your ice cream!

All-
It was a great week for sure. We had another record breaking sacrament meeting attendance and that means another week of work trying to find those who are truly ready to accept this gospel! I was practicing a lesson with my companion this week, the first lesson, when we present the story of Joseph Smith. While I was telling the story of Joseph Smith I realized something that gave me a boost of confidence and energy; He was a simple young man, roughly educated, young...normal... He was no different than any one of us, He was just filled with faith. The Lord loves all his children just the same, and if he loves a small ploughboy enough to visit him in a time of trouble, to answer a simple, sincere question of the heart, then without a doubt he loves me enough to do the same. To answer my prayers if i pray with faith, If I am seeking sincerely, If my eyes are single to his glory.
I had a lesson this week when it seemed as if the language he fled from my mind. I was a bit frustrated afterward. But my companion taught me something interesting. He told me that whatever I said in that lesson was exactly what the Lord needed me to say, because i was there and I was doing my best. Maybe the Lord withheld my tongue because I needed to teach that lesson a little bit more simply. We can trust that the Lord knows what is happening, what has happened, and what is going to happen. I know that if I put forth all I can, and then walk with faith, I will be given whatever words need to be said. I love you all. Go eat a slurpee or something for me : )

-Elder Johnson

P.S. For any of you who heard my "awkward is what you make it" quote... it can't be translated because they don't have the word awkward here. They just make the cricket sound to symbolize haha

PPS for any of you have seen frequency ... remember that part about "yahoo"? . . I am doing the same thing right now... "Churros" remember that word yall ; )

Tays Email #19

July 26, 2010

Fam -

Ah! So much news, I stinkin love it! Haha. I’m glad it seems like our family took ALL of the family vacations at the same time right when I left! Ya PUNKS! Love you more everyday in all honesty... I don't understand how my love for my family doubles everyday when I don’t even get to talk to you all! Hales... I couldn't write and listen at the same time so I'm waiting until after the e-mail to listen to your song... and cry.. hahaha cause I know it will be beautiful and I will cry. Took the boat out… Good news : ) Coach Johnson, thanks for the update dad, super sad. And also thanks for the thoughts on pioneers and our potential... I took a picture of the screen and will review later! We are super short on time today : ( Super exciting also that the basement it changing! It has been the same for a long time! Mom you mentioned that I would have been proud of Haley’s song.... I know I would have too! And even without hearing it, I am! "Only beautiful women in this family" -said one of the members of the branch here when she was looking at our family picutres! haha Keep being the awesome family that I talk about in my testimony everyday! Eternal Families = my favorite promised blessing of them all!

ALL -
So yesterday was a day of miracles. It seems like the Lord makes you work work work without seeing the results, until you don't think you are making a difference, and then he shows you that his hand truly is in the work. We had FULL classes yesterday in the Branch.. it was a miracle! So beautiful to see the rooms full of people, even if they aren't baptized yet! They were there! We were picking people up (when I saying picking people up i mean walking around the whole city knocking on the doors of our investigators and then walking with them to the bus stop) for church when a random boy we'd seen on the streets a few times stopped us, told us he was going to come to church with us, went and changed clothes, and then came with us. . . Miracles. I heard an interesting thought this week. A bishop noticed a cigarette on the chapel floor, bent down to pick it up, and returned with a smile on his face. He wasn't mad...A cigarette in the chapel is better than a cigarette in the street... why? Because it means that whoever smoked that cigarette...is trying. They were where they were supposed to be, doing what they were supposed to do, trying to get better...And when we do our part, the Lord will always do his.
I had an interesting battle Sunday... I was playing the piano, and the son of one of our investigators insisted on playing as well.... playing the notes WHILE insisting on stepping on the pedal... Oh dear. OH DEAR. hahaha I did my very best and we made it through. I tried to control him during all of the meetings yesterday so that his Mother could feel the spirit and enjoy her time there, I hope that she did... She went to church on her own (THAT NEVER HAPPENS) with a girl that we taught a while back but lost interest. They were both there, and they are both on the 'progressing investigators' list. Happy Days : )
Quick note- This morning was insane. Two brasilians battling for the spotlight, both singing different songs, in a little house in brasil, in addition to heat, and a pillow fight. I ALMOST got a headache ; )

Scripture chase. COMPARE Alma 32 with 1 Nefi 8:1 . . . I was thinking about our Faith and how it grows from a seed. One thing that I have never realized is that there are SO many different kinds of seeds in this world! Some that take a long time to grow, some that grow fast, some that are planted deep, some shallow.... and EACH and EVERYONE brings forth a different flower, a different fruit, a different tree etc. The point is, we are all different. Each of us have a different 'seed of faith' and it will be demonstrated in different ways...each of us will bring forth different 'fruits.' We just have to do our part to water and nourish the seed, and without a doubt, over time, the Lord will make sure that we turn into, or bring forth, the right fruits, the right flowers, etc... the fruits that he needs us to bring forth. Just live his word, Move forward, and he will turn you into what he needs you to be, after all you can do.

Word of the day ALMOCAR = to eat lunch. I love this verb. 'Nós sempre almocavamos' = we always used to each lunch. haha Who just has a verb 'to eat lunch'...so cool.
Also. OREM means 'You all pray' thought that was cool
"Bem me quer, Mal me quer" - direct translation - "Good wants me, bad wants me".... our meaning "He loves me, he loves me not"

I don't have time to do photos today. I apologize. Love you all dearly. Be your best you, love your family, send a thank you note today ... it only costs a dollar (or a free text). All my love - Elder Johnson

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!