Jan 17, 2011

Família-
       Dad!  I certainly miss putting away Christmas boxes and scooping Rudy's Results in the yard, but I'll survive without it!  Send me a picture or two of the auto show if you all go!  I played some pingpong today for pday . . man I miss that!  I even got the sweat going!  I also talked english with the Elders and Sister from my group that are in my zone... miss that too!  About the ice on the drive way... dont remeber the last time I saw ice! haha thanks for the sweet article on Paul Millsap and the brasil stats!  I ALWAYS knew Paul was the man!  I called it from the start : )  Our new Jerseys are SWEET!  are they not?  I would like to let all of you know that Dad sent me a picture of the new AWESOME corvette with a little sticky that said "sorry I couldn't resist! ..  Is that not AWESOME!?"  haha it went in my picture journal of the mission. ... I still love corvettes!  Hey Dad, do you remember when I passed a guy on the street on a no pass zone and hey followed me until I stopped?....Then hey called you and told you that I was lucky that he didn't "beat me to a bloody pulp"...?  Remembered that this week. haha good stuff!  He was a skinny cross country runner!  punk.  ; )  
        Havent found cookie ingredients yet but I am looking!  I got another package and some letters from the ward,friends as well.  You just dont want me to loose weight with these packages!  We have LOVED the dried mangos, oreos...WOW... oreos haha YUM.  And doritoes...everything. . .  I left the m and ms out and the ants got to them... but I scattered the ants and I will still eat them : ) haha
       All is well here... I pray for you and I will talk about the week in the full e-mail!
Love Elder Johnson

ALL-
          NOTICE:  LDS church building is robbed for the fourth time!  They robbed our church building this week again.... someone.   Bent bars, Broken glass, missing amplifier, blood on the curtains... the whole sha-bang.  I know it is sad and frustrating!  But I have to just not thinking about it so I don't lose the spirit haha seriously.  
          I saw my first really big spider this week. . . like the size of the one from Home Alone... yeah, you all know which one.  It went like this.  We were walking on the street singing and I went to breathe in and swallowed a mosquito...I bent over to couch him out, and in front of my face on the ground was that HUGe spider. . . WAHOU!  My comp killed him.. sad but whatever.  We also saw a frog the size of a normal football... it had already been taken care of my a truck : S
         Spiritual Update - Status - HIGH.  : )   We had two baptism this week... thank you all for your prayers for the missionaries!  Napoleon and Diego were both baptized this week.  I baptized the skinnier one.  He was super scared but it worked out alright!  Cool experience.  We looked at the font when we got to the chapel and saw that it was super dirty even though we had cleaned it the day before...we were worried, but RIGHT before the baptism when we showed it to Diego and Napoleon they didn't even hestitate...'doesn't matter to me!' .  Our mission president always tells us that it is NOT easy to be a member of this church.  We have to find those who are WILLING to live the commandment of God and to change what needs to be changed.  Both of these young men were JUSt that.  We had to go through a process of fallen appointments and a bit of walking, organizing family nights and lots of prayer, but both of them were 100 percent willing to change what needed to be changed.  From drinking Coffee EVERYDAY of their lives, to never doing it again.  From going to the Fair evey sunday, to never buying on sunday again.  It is true, and people (that are ready) feel it when they hear it!  We are going to work with Napoleon's family now.  I believe they will soon follow : )  If not, it will be in the future.  
  COOL FACT- both of these young men could leave on missions while I am still in the field!  

Much love to all!  
If you have written me... there will be a letter coming back!
-Elder Johnson

PS someone tell Clark Kerswell to tell me what is up ... and don't you all assume that the others are going to do it!

January 10, 2011 Week # 41

Fam-
      Before I forget . . . I ate lunch last week with a member here who was companions with Elder Bateman (andrew) on the mission!  His name was Elder C. Alves on the mission.  Small world huh?!  Barret and I are online at the same time..oooo how cool!!  So he and Linny are alright, super tender mercy.  Hey speaking of Barrett and Nean. . . Do Dad and Nean still have little fist fights in the kitchen every once in a while?  haha. . . keep giving him guff for me while I am gone Nean!  
          CHRISTMAS PACKAGE!  Well . . . I would like to thank you all a bunch for all that you bought me, and particularly Mom for putting it all together. . . Mom you letter will be in the mail tomorrow as always!  I have been stuffing myself with dried mangos, snickers, reeses, tootsie rolls, and 100 grands this week. . . so good... haha.  Tell the madsens thanks for the treat as well!  I wont list everything individually cause I don't want to forget and leave anyone out, but I want to leave my genuine gratitude for thinking about me . . . in NOVEMBER for christmas time. . . I am super spoiled.  Mom . . . Our neighbor boy loved the snowglobe. . . I think I might give it to him if that is alright.  Thanks for dealing with those wheels that were sent to our house Mom... I seriously feel bad asking for something else. . .especially after I opened you package and saw all the work you went through.  I read all my friends letters and loved them!  Hallie you pictures always put a genuine smile on my face!   Dad thanks for your updates and thoughts.   Hales, thanks for your e-mail and letting me know about the incidnet with dad talking to the radio haha got a laugh out of that one : )  Heidi!  Thanks for the e-mail and the picture!  to answer you question . . . my mission has flown up until now. . . I cant keep track of time, and yes I think it plays tricks on missionaries more than anyone else!  Well I am glad that Heidi told me Jeanine is pregnant. . . didnt even KNOW ya PUNKS!  haha WAHOO!!  
             My love to all.  I will keep trying to be the missionary that you guys (and the Lord) expect me to be.
 - Elder Johnson
P.S. I am feeling the chocolate in my belly right now... :S haha
P>P>S> I still havent figured out that puzzle thing Heidi and Justin! hahaha AH
PPPS Mom My comp is reminding me to have you send a mini US flag that can go on his desk . . . with the little stick thing... sorry

All - 
     Jacob 6:12 - Something my Dad said to me all through High School.  Such good advice!  Love that scripture.  HAPPY "first week and a half of the year" to all and a HAPPY BIRTHDAY to My favorite cousin! haha  
          Well this week went quite well.  We were hit with a lot of rain which was fun and is super rare!  The worst was that it hit right on sunday morning when everyone should be going to church . . . of course I thought there was going to be no one there!  Quite the contrary happened. . . . The sacrament meeting was the fullest I have seen in this area and we had 6 investigators there who are all quite probable for baptism!  We went to pick up Napoleon who was supposed to be baptized this week, but he wasnt at home. . . in other words the baptism fell through!  NOOOO!  It will all work out this week.  The miracle of the situation is that His brother that has listened to the lessons a little bit here and there came with us to church!  He has just rolled out of bed, and we showed up, sopping wet, asking for his brother... "He hasnt gotten back yet" . . . Alright, well tell him we came by. . . "Deal I will tell him, Wait just a minute, I'll come with you guys to church" . . . wait say that again??... haha he came and it was a great day!  We had to teach the gospel Principle class without warning but the spirit helped us and it all went great!  
         Small e-mail this week, sorry, but I hope soon to have some fun baptism stories!  The other night we were going home and some ladies on the street made a funny comment..."HEY!....HHEEYY!.... My mom is really needing a son-in-law!...."  Oh how people are funny and open in this country.  
-Elder Johnson

PS> tried sending pics but the computer is being super dee duper slow.

Week #40!!

Fam-
       Hey hey hey!  Dad thank you for your thoughts, mom as well, and thanks for the invite nean ; ) I will be there in spirit right?!  Hales, if you could send me a recipe for your homemade chocolate cookies and some brief preparation instructions I would be ever so grateful. . . my comp is wanting an american flavor haha I said I would make cookies!  Good news, I havent RECIEVED a package yet, but I know I will tomorrow. . . I was already told that I have one!  I am super excited!! . . . Well my wishes are that you all had a spiritual, safe, and spunky (good word huh?) New Years. . . I slept : )  we werent allowed to stay up haha sa'll good, I have always considered New Years to be the most overrated of Holidays...even above Halloween Heid . . : 0 hah.  Love you all dearly.  Thanks for you prayers, I need them!   I pray that the spirit will watch over you all and be an ever-present influence.  

All-

         Happppy New years.  woot!  I'll get it overwith quick and tell you all that I sleepted (slept) for new years. . mission rules haha.  But as I told my family, i have never trully seen a whole lot in purpose in the New Year. . . other than an excuse to P-A-R-T-WHY? . . . 'Because I Gotta!' -The Mask - - - - - -I would like to give a shout out to my wonderful cousin Angie Helsten!!  Do you remember when I was stoked to spend new years at your house and then POOF. . . 10 o clock and you decided to sleep?  NOT COOL!  That was the lonliest new years ever, I was truly alone! hahaha Maybe I have just been scarred since that day!  Love you Cous!  I believe you have a letter headed your way! . . .ANWAYS -  I hope you all safely enjoyed it!  And I hope all (that are married) received a New Years kiss!  
          Two days ago I was walking around our house with a rock in my shoe. . . finally I got a little tired of moving it around with my toes so I took my shoe off to dump it out.  It was a super special rock . . . with eight legs.... and luckily it was no longer alive! haha I suppose I killed it right when I put my shoe in.  Long story short; I check my shoes in the morning now! There is a mangled picture of my shoe friend attached 
      I am officially learning to be more efficient on the mission haha.  Today we fixed our broken faucet and seeing as how we don't have a washing machine I have learned to do it the good'ol'fashioned style.  
       We decorated our christmas tree on the 1st day of january. . . but the wind knocked of the waterbottle that was holding it up and got water all over.  To make things worse I had already cleaned the floor a good 4 times before it happened hahaha.  Neither of us got super christmas-sy this year but how can you without snow and coldness?!  I spent some good time pondering and reflecting which brought more of the christmas spirit!

I dont have a whole lot to relate for all of you other than my love and encouragement to keep going strong.  Over the past year it has continued to be impressed on my mind that "wickedness [truly] never was happiness."  Wickness in the smallest form will never bring happiness.  It brings exactly the opposite.  I thank you all for your small acts of faith and righteousness.  God sees them, even if others don't.  The smallest acts of kindess, even the ones that are joked about in the church (green jello, quilts, etc.) are some of the greatest acts of faith.  I would encourage all of you to read Elder Hollands talk from the Saturday morning session of the Oct. Conference of 2010.  In English I think it is "Because of your faith".  To this date in my life, I believe it to be the talk that most helped me understand what it is to be a member of this church.  Love you all.  Elder Johnson

our house.. the last apartment on top.

Elder R with his guitar and me trying really hard to write a letter

My new toy that I bought me and had some boys from the street teach me how to use (a TOP)

Friend spideer

Week #39

Fam- 

       Once more I would like to second my statement that it was GREAT to talk to you all!  I tried to send a video Heidi but the computer wouldnt let me . . I will keep trying.  with an hour a week computer problems are tough to deal with!  I would like to do like a missionary minute though . . that would make a cool missionary journal!  I hope you all enjoyed your little christmas gadgets . . . i am sorry if some of them werent that cool . . I tried I promise!  And just remember that my love has nothing to do with the size of your christmas present!  Tell Hallie Belle that she truly is a daughter of God and is so close to Him!  It was plain as day when she sang for me that children have a special spirit and are truly separated from the evils of the world!  Sav. cracked me up with her frustration when I didnt understand her hahaha I am still laughing about it.  JINGLE BELLS!  He will be just like me : ) Jk.  thanks for the hello Jacie . . I heard her tears : ( : ).  Savs. . . wake up for me next time ;  ) haha.  Love you all and I thank you for you inspiration.  Did I sound like I know the language?. . . I do hope so haha. - Elder Johnson

All-

       Merrrry Christmas Orem, Elementary...

may your Christmas be all, 

that it's meant to be

as you gather round the christmas tree!

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Well I would like to place a thought in your minds really quickly that I pondered recently.  As I walked home Christmas eve and so the sin of the world being displayed all around me...I imagined what it would be like if everyone truly honored Christmas as it should be.  Loving others, remembering our Savior, and DOING for others.  Wow. . can you imagine the fortified spirit that we would feel?!  

We were able to buy a simple present for our neighbor boy and told him Santa had left it with us. . . Man he snatched it quickly!  We now see him with it everyday and it makes me feel the Saviors love everytime I see him!  I think it was all he got.  As my sister Haley helped me to see this week with a story she shared, the Lord knows each of us.  He knows all of our situations, nothing gets by him.  He is aware of the suffering widow, the student on campus and each one of your assignments, he knows the love of the parents and each one of our hearts perfectly.  Wow!

I was able to visit this week with a member from my first area where I spent 6 months.  "todos, todos, todo, estão firmes" He said.  "every single one of them is firm". . . He was telling me about the people that I baptized in that area. . . He said that all of them were going strong, many have calling, and all are doing great.  I shed a tear of Joy knowing that I had been able to truly be an instrument in the Lords Hands. 

Enjoy this seasons and love your families more than ever!  - Elder Johnson

*Birdies!

 *We had another close call on the curfew so we had to run . . we got home sweaty haha

 *Santa on a big truck with an announcer and a lottery haha.  "Oh Brasil"

 This is my CHristmas mousse that I made with crackers on top . . it is and was SUPER tasty. 

 *That is me right before I called all of you!  I really was shaking! Christmas tie!

 *I found my beloved city in the Book of Mormon!  OREM ALWAYS it says...or... (that they might pray always) cool!

Week #38

Mom I am SUPER sorry that that happened with you letter... the worst!  I wish I was there so I could show you that it wasn't really lost!

Hales that was a low blow with the Hair comment! . . Thanks for the scripture though.  I feel bad that you have been super overloaded with everything and then you have your brother halfway across the world adding to the chaos. . . sorry!  Dad mentioned a sweet computer that has entered into the johnson family . . He said "I am sure she told you about it" . . . you didn't! aint aint okay okay.... haha Love you

I will call at 1 o'clock to give you the number to call me back!  I guess it is up to you guys to buy a calling card or something like that? . . calling card or our service I don't know. . . but I will call at 1 to give you my number and it will have to be really fast .. then I will hang up . . you will call back... and ..WE > >> SHALL > > >TALLLLLLKKK!!!  I have to concentrate this week so dont talk about it too much! . . 

I hope christmas is AWESOME.  And cold. . .I hope it is COLD.... REALLY COLD.  Just cause I am having my first hot, dry, christmas haha. . Merry Christmas and Happy NEW YEAR!  

I sent 22 letters today . . you'd think that as a missionary your body would ache...WRONG. . . my index finger hurts. owe.

PS Hey dad remember when we forgot about the Bill Cosby concert? . . that made me sick!. . . oh yeah, seen my moto recently?  I am still curious!

PPS.. Mom or Hales if you have chance will you take pictures of our house decorations and the lights on the house.... and my room?  My comp loves the christmas spirit and decorated houses!   

  

All - 

    We had a great baptism this week of Francielvis an 18 boy with four strong member friends who, without a doubt, will all be serving missions at the same time!  I love thinking about people in the future and the changes that I know the gospel will bring to their lives!  

    We had a good weekly planning last night that helped me realize the progress you can make when you sit down and ask yourself what you can do to improve rather than wonder if what you want to happen will ever happen.  Many times you will find that you have the same ideas and goals as that person you just didn't know it because you never sat down and talked about it!  My companion is a great guy.  I respect him highly for having come on a mission at age 26. . .that would be tough.  He is a rocker and we always sing. . today he was full on BELTING IT in our little apartment... should I say . . WE were belting a few songs hahaha.  I will send a video soon.  

   We got talking about Christmas and i asked him what Christmas morning was like for them there. . . he said "what do you mean?, it is just normal.....in the end he told me that in his 27 years of life, he has NEVER ONCE received a Christmas present. . . not once.  His father also passed away 5 years ago.  He has a humble home in sau paulo and a humble heart here.  His testimony is powerful and I can tell that he walks with the spirit as we all should!  Gotta go.  Sorry there weren't updates. .. THe beach was WAY fun . . .talking with americans and putting my toes in the sand . . loved it.  . . drew in the sand and we were even able to wade in the water. . . . up to the ankle haha. . yippee!  we played some games and I ate what I call an 'almost sloppy joe' . . it was so good.  haha  Love you all MERRY CHRISTMAS . . . I will talk to my family on Christmas day for the first time in 9 months.. yay!! - Elder Johnson

Photo Explanations:

Trip to the beach

Baptism of the couple that we married!! (and a goofy one of them that day haha he is a clown!)

Our trip to the beach and my group on the mission . . . the drawing I did from utah to Brasil and for mom!

Surfing

Holding Elder Meniglim haha love him

 Our SWEET workout invention hahaha only in the mission-field . . not even poor college students would use that!

My new comp... we sing allll the time . . He plays the guitar . . it is super fun.  He is learning english and I never stop asking questions about português. . Ima juice'em for all he knows!

Elder Johnson Week #37

Family -  

          Hey!  It is the season of LOOVVVVE!  Truly it doesn't feel like the christmas season for me when I am sweating in the street hahaha but I will try and imagine snow... maybe I will stick my head in the freezer for a good five minutes just to remember what it is like. . . . WAIT!  I cant. . . our power is out and we will be using candles tonight to shower! hahaha oh the adventures of the mission.  Hales thanks for the simple but super powerful thought. . I have heard that quote a few times on the mission and it is one that could really power a successful mission.  I heard you recorded more with Siri . . I hope that is something I will hear soon. . . ps...ya know how I said your cd got stolen? . . . ya well i found the punk and got it back ; ) WHAM!  Heidi, Thanks for the pics and the update . . . I am sure I really would have loved the concert that you went to. . . I truly have always loved and love more everyday powerful music and watching others demonstrated theirs talents. . . It makes me feel closer to God if that doesn't sound weird. . It strengthens my testimony of Him.  Mom!  I will know tomorrow if the packages have come. . I wouldn't worry . . I am sure the will get here, and if not. . . I will still tell you they did ; ) hahaha.  We will go to the beach this friday with all the missionaries from 3 zones of the mission.  I am sure sister batt will make a homemade cookie for each missionary or something of the sort!  They are super good to us all. 

ABOUT THE CALL.  I would like to know what time would be best for you.  I will be calling ON CHRISTMAS DAY of course and I am thinking that I will call at 5 o clock our time which would be NOON for you guys . . does that put Christmas morning in a rush?  Let me know.  We will be able to call the 24TH to confirm the time so we still have next PDAY to decide and then the 24TH when I will call to confirm.  I am not 100% sure how it works but I know I will be calling first and then you will call back....and then....WE WILL...TALK!  

IT'S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEARRRRRR.  -  Love Elder Johnson

All-

          I am in my new area today, Ipanema!  I have always lived with at least 4 missionaries on my mission up until now.  I will be living with Elder Rodrigo my new comp from São Paulo!  He is 27 and a real great guy.  He likes rock and roll and has a fiancé...we had a good conversation about Chicago today and you can be sure that there will be more to come!  We live in a cool little apartment. . that lost power today.  JUST ours haha none of the neighbors.  That means. . . no fans, no lights, warm drinking water, and CANDLES to take showers and plan tonight!  I really do love the mission adventures.  (Funny picture of our workout equipment will be coming next week!) 

         The end of the transfer went really well.  We didn't have very many lessons because of the baptisms that we were organizing and wedding that we had, but we ended with 3 baptisms that just make me smile!  2 Men, and one Complete Family!  Narcisio and Lucilene were married on the 10th and baptized that same night.  We took tons of pictures and even made a wedding video for them.  You would be proud of me Heid. . . I felt like a REAL photographer! haha.  We tried to make it as special as possible!  But no matter what, the baptism tops it all.  We had talked with the President of the Relief Society for her to let the members know about the baptism and put together some food.  In the end there was a great turn out of people to watch the baptism and to welcome Lucilene into the ward, there were also men from the ward to welcome Narcisio.  They are planning to go to the temple together in february to do baptisms...and while I am still on the mission, they will have the blessing to be married for time and all eternity!  When Narcisio was talking to me after the baptism he said that he had looked up and it seemed as if the heavens had opened when he came out of the water.  He even went back to make sure it wasn't just a bright light in the font, and finding that there was no light, he knew it was a witness from the spirit...something that he will never forget.  It was hard to say goodbye to both of them, but they will not be forgotten.

         Tony was our other friend that got baptized.  He has been helped a lot by His girlfriend who is a member.  Their situation is perfect.  Since the first lesson we were able to see Tony's sincerity and His true desire to find something more in His life.  He prayed, asked God, and didn't feel an answer.  Later, while we were teaching another family and he just happened to be there, he told us that he had been hit by a great anxiety to be baptized.  Can you say the spirit?!  At the baptism His girlfriend and her sister sang a special number (without practicing as it always is here in Brasil) and it turned out .. interesting.  One of them was overcome by emotion and kinda got the coughing-cry thing. . . and then the audience helped them finish the song. . .dong get me wrong. . it really was beautiful and everyone felt the spirit. . it was just super unique : ) . . . He will surely never forget this day! . . . He is planning on serving and mission and so is she.... which means . . . she leaves, He leaves, then they come home, and get married.  I think God is the ultimate Match Maker : ) .  Love you all, Love this work.  I'll send pics and let you know about the new area next week!  

                  - Elder Johnson

P.S. I had cucumber juice this week . . it was super good.  I also had Cantaloupe juice . . . very good as well!

P.P.S. ---> We used Noah as an example this week and a man we were teaching jumped in and said "Yeah! the one who built the Canoe!" hahahahahahaha I had to do a slight head turn to disguise the smirk that creeped onto my face without permission.

P.P.P.S. - --> Today wasn't Pday and they just let us use the internet . . so I wasn't able to write a letter to you Mom or to anyone else . . .  next pday Im on it!

Week #36

Fam-

    First things first. . . I wanted to make sure you all remembered that time that we got to that house in Cali that smelled like dog and animals in general.  Well I just wanted to quote our Friend Frankie and dedicate it to Jake who does a wonderful impersonation.  "Look Jerry, My name is Frankie and Ima' givit to ya straight alright? . . Ima pocket 200 dollars, no one will ever know... I pay Baws (boss) the rest and you got yourself a great weekend with fam. . . "you gotta trust me Jerry..." hahahaha LOVE IT.  All is well here. .  It has been a great transfer and is winding down!  Who knows what is to come.  Love you and miss you all!  Christmas from Brasil will get there before the 25! : ) . . I dont think I left anyone out.... not even rudy! wait. . I left C-baby out. . . ahh man.  Give him a hug for me.  Love youall! - Elder JOhnson

PS. Thanks for the Jazz and BYU updates!  ... If they win it all . . I will be ticked.  and I excited I guess. haha

All - 

      Another week of missionary life come and gone as fast as the first.  How crazy that there are only 104 weeks in total!  This week we were able to baptize 3 young men that we found through a young member of the church who started to come back to church recently.  I want so badly for all of them to understand and fully grasp the concept of "THE TRUE CHURCH" on the earth today.  I wish sometimes I could just put a pendrive in other's heads and upload my testimony of the truthfulness of these things. . . but that would be too easy.  We know that we are here to work and that the work we have to do was designed to make us happy. . . How SICK!  

     We have been teaching a 19 boy, Tony, who is truly a 'seeker of the truth.'  He has followed through on our invitations and is just waiting a solid answer from God to take a leap of faith into the waters of baptism.  The first lesson that we had with him was the first one with someone our age in a while, and he was paying VERY close attention to everything.  These two factors really put the pressure on and made me think about every word.  When I got to my testimony, the thoughts were loosened and my mind was able to reflect upon ALL THAT I KNOW as a member of this church.  I bore testimony from the depths of my heart and I was blessed with one more witness that there is no other path than the one we are on.  Sometimes, our feelings for the gospel and our gratitude to Heavenly Father can only be expressed to a certain point, the rest has to be done by the spirit, and is often accompanied by tears.  I will admit that I have decided against tears on the mission and so they are a super rare sighting.

     As for a mission comment . . . Missionaries will never be perfect, neither will members, and neither will our testimonies.  I find strength in simple scripture study everyday and a simple desire to KNOW MORE and to be able to teach others more effectively.   One more thing that I learned this week . . . it doesnt matter WHAT it is . . . it just isnt worth getting mad. . . at least not if you want to have the spirit!  I am done preaching to the choir.  Thanks for being amazing friends, family, examples, teachers, etc.

Love Elder Johnson

P.S. I weigh 170 pizounds.  It is a record.  Dear Amy Cotant "I'm on a diet...too"  ; ) hahaha 

P.P.S.  I realized this week that to make a child behave you count to 10 in the states. . .here, the mom just reaches for her flip flop without saying a word and the child knowsthat he'd better stop haha... good ole brasilian culture!

P.P.P.S  Thanks to all that have written. . . E-mails, letters, etc. . . . I am amazed by the force of our friends that are spread across the globe doing this work!