Feb 7, 2011

FAM-

HI!!  It was a swell week:)  Just cut my hair... woot!  

Mom my shoes fit greeeat!  You don't need to send me anything!  I think the person that added you on facebook is someone from my last ward! she wont bite.... and neither will my old puppy dog rudy. . . dont worry mom...he is happy... and if he isnt... search for a picture of the dogs in the street from brasil and show it to him.... he will be grateful for his pillow!  

Dad!  Go Cougs!  Jazz. .. shmazz.  Good luck with the mazda!  I forgot to take a picture of the truck here but I will soon!  How didthe meeting go with the guy about the red truck?  I talked to president about the rareity of our interviews for you and he said that when he asked, he said that they are giving missionaries less time in the presidents office to get them ready to be MEN after the mission...cause after the mission we wont have a meeting every 6 weeks to see if the life is inline with the gospel... I thought that was really interesting!

Hales... thenks for your message!  It made me think of all the lyrics to  RESCUE ME . . . I love the lyrics of that song!

Heidi!  Thanksfor thefacebook updates!  I also told Jenny Porritt in a letter that if you arent using my camera then she has the rights to use it!  That is only if no one else in the family wants to use it!

LOVE YOU ALL   >.>.>  I pray for you all much : ) -  Elder Johnson

oh mom!  Can you find out if Kyle Hansen sends aweekly email that I could get each week?

Interesting fact. . . Brasil Fortaleza is the highest baptizing mission in the world : O  

Field is white and the prophet called an inspired president!

All-

    So, for those of you who wonder what a normal day is like on the mission, I thought I would lay one out...

6:20 - Look at the clock and be grateful for the last 5 minutes of sleep. 

6:30 - get up, shower, eat, do some pushups, get ready...

8:00 - In church clothes, and all,set up a fan and start studying whatever you would like (for me that is the BOM, the Liahona, and Jesus the Christ)

9:00 - Study with comp ..pray, talk aboutwhat you studied, bear testimony and choose something else to study together.

10:00 - get ready to leave

10:30 - Pray, bear testimony to eachother, recite the mission purpose, head out to work.

12:00 - get to lunch

1:30 - Leave a message with the family that made lunch for you and head off to your first appointment.

2:30 - 9:00 - Visit the people you scheduled with, if it falls through, visit a less active, knock doors, visit old investigators (all according to your planning for the day and the spirit)

9:00- Get home and plan for tomorrow, shower, write injournal, maybe eat, pray

10:30 - Lay in your bed and let your tired body zonk.

avg. of 3-10 lessons in a day,  and 30 cups of water haha.

Funny story. The other day we were fasting and my comp killed my with a hilarious comment.  Out of NOWHERE he said..."Hey,do you think it would be bad if I chewed on Dental floss?" hahahaha He was joking but I died...hahaha oh dear.

Also, a funny guy with a guitar showed up whenwe were eating lunch the other day.. . He sang to everyonethere (that didnt want to here him) and as we were leaving called us over sohe could chastise us and recite scripture. . . it took us 10 minutes just to say bye!  Then a little boy who shines shoes followed us and asked questions for a good quarter mile.  Oh how the mission is an adventure!  

Igor (12), who was baptised this week, is awesome : ) He is already reading the BOM consistently and trying to get his inactive brother (14) to do the same. .. . Soon he will be passing the sacrament!

Love you all!  Tchau! 

Ps   TJ  - thanks for imagining at night in Midway for me! haha

Jan 31, 2011

Fam-

Wow!  It was an adventurous week for sure.  THhanks for the ecard Heidi! haha.  Mom and Dad... your questions I will answer in the large part to all okay?! Deal.  

Dad, you can always like trucks okay?  You don't have to grow up... let me know if you sell the Red truck... change is always fun right?  I have a sweet truck across the road here that I will take a picture of soon.  baby blue.  : )  Good to know your sleepover with Hallie belle was awesome!   Tell her I would love to baptise her but she cant wait that long!  cutie.  MOM...got my shoes and garmetns and shirts... thanks : ) !!  I am using my garments and already used a shirt...as well as the shoes!! I am breaking them in a day at a time!  They have a nice thick sole...  just what i needed!  I am pretty sure I wont need shoes for the rest of the mission : )     Thanks  for the cheese and meat!   I still read Kallies quote everyday!

Love to all. . . it was a great week. . . new adventures around every corner!

-Elder Johnson

All-

Crazy, fun, and fast week... I started having crazy dreams which is always a sign that we are working as hard as we should...whew. haha.  

New area :  

Benfica

Comp - Elder J. Santos, brasilian from Ribeirão Preto, awesome guy- my new best friend.  We have a blast together and have a great time teaching as well.  He has the gift of being able to sleep and plan at the same time at night, impresive.  

Language is going well, it will never be prefect, but it is always nice when a kind person says "wow you learned fast" or "you talk better than us!" . . even though you know it isnt entirely true, it makes you feel good.  

I ate mike and Ikes this week... and  a Reeses. . .UHHHHHH so good. haha.

I was able to do some baptismal interviews this week which was really fun, getting people excited for the baptism and telling them how excited I am for them!  They think it is only them that is nervous for the interview. . . nope!  It is also humbling to know that the Lord trusts us missionaries to know if someone is prepared for such an important ordenance.  

We are teaching a single mom that will be baptised this week and i wanted to share something she said.  We were trying to figure out how she would get to church with her little girl, it is pretty far.  When we saw that it was going to be tough for someone to come by she said "whatever happens I can just go alone...I dont know where it is, but someone who has a mouth can learn on the way" . . . that is faith!

We met an awesome family this week that was full of good questions and just the right doubts.  Those of you who have served missions are familiar with those doubts for sure.  They also think all americans are crazy haha.   I hope I can how them we arent ALL crazy.  We will teach them more this week and, if they are willing to DO what is required, they will be baptized  : )

More stories to come!

-Kye pit engaged?.

I heard Carley Cosgrove was getting there? so cool rock on eternal families!....we are old!

P.S. - - - Just an update- I cant´, and dont look at my facebook but sometimes my sister sends me brief updates from it. . so thanks to all for you birthday wishes!

This sign says "PROHIBITED the entrance of strange people"  hahaha

Our BEAUTIFUL chapel

We ate all you can eat this morning... I almost died.. . I ate cereal with chocolate MILK!  Love.

Played soccer in the rain today. . . I am not THAT bad at soccer... it was a blast.  

My comp!

I got burnt the other day, second time on the mission. . . we were out at noon...woops!

My aweome christmas tree with notes from many of you guys... thanks, I loved it!

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!