Well... I am soooooo tired. This week there was a seminary for all of the Jr. Companions , so they all went to Cúliacan for the week, except for me (this is because I have only been here for three weeks). I stayed in Los Mochis with my companion. Because half of all the missionaries were gone, our area was combined with another area, which was twice as big as ours. We did a lot of walking this week. All is well though, because they returned this past Saturday.
But, the big news for this week, is that I gave my first "discurso" in Spanish yesterday. If you think giving a talk in English is hard... You wouldn´t believe it, but I think that it is easier to give a talk in front of 60 people in a different language, than it is to give one in English in front of like 600 people. Anyway, I am sure that my grammar was horrible and that I pronounced everything wrong, but I enjoyed the experience. Might as well, because I´m probably going to have to give like 15 trillion more before the end of my mission. :)
You never know who God has placed in your path for you to help and lift. It is important to always be an example of the believers, in all that you do and say. This is definitely true as a missionary. People are going to look at me, and judge our church. In the white-handbook, it says that I need to maintain the highest standard of conduct, because I represent the Lord, and his Gospel.
I love you all so much, and pray for you often,
Elder Johnson
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Thursday, April 14, 2011
April 11, 2011
Hey Family!
Well, this week has been quite something. So, one of the rules in our mission (I think I already told you all this) is that we cannot go to church unless we bring with us an investigator. Well, we worked hard all last week, but we could not get a commitment from anyone! We got to Saturday, and we had 12 people planned, to go visit. We thought "for sure we´ll be able to get one of our investigators to come with us" But as the day went on, no one was home. I think of the 12 we had scheduled we taught a total of 3 people. We were running out of options. It was about 7:00, and we didn´t have anyone to go with us.
We decided to say a prayer, so we sat down on the side of the road, and prayed for us to be able to bring escogidos (God´s chosen people) to church with us. Then we went to our last two appointments. Neither one was there. So, it was 8:40, time for us to start heading home, and then we decided to try this one last house that was on our way home. This was a nice little family, that we had talked to for fifteen minutes on this past Tuesday. That is the only interaction that they had had with the missionaros before. We stopped by, sang a hymn, prayed, and invited them to church. They accepted. The Lord really did bless us. This does not happen. EVER.
I know that the Lord hears our prayers, and he answers them too. This is one of the first principles that we teach to the investigators. That is because it is so important to know that we can talk to our Father in Heaven, and what’s more, that He will answer. Now, I know that not all answers come like this one did, but I know that as I put my trust in the Lord, and have faith that he can and will answer my prayers he will bless me.
Anyway, I cannot believe that I forgot to tell you this last week, but now I look even more like Harry Potter. I have this big ole gash on my forehead. Me and my companion were walking along the sidewalk, when we saw one of our investigators. I was waving to them, when all of a sudden, BANG, I just stopped. I had run head on into one of the air conditioners, that are mounted on the side of the houses. So yeah. I was a little embarrassed, and I have the coolest scar ever. This was like my second day in my area.
Well, the address to the Mission Office is:
Río Choix #888
Col. Rosales, Culiacán, Sin.
C.P. 80230 A.P. 645
This is where all of the letters will go through.
Well, I have to go. I love you all mucho.
Love
Elder Johnson
Well, this week has been quite something. So, one of the rules in our mission (I think I already told you all this) is that we cannot go to church unless we bring with us an investigator. Well, we worked hard all last week, but we could not get a commitment from anyone! We got to Saturday, and we had 12 people planned, to go visit. We thought "for sure we´ll be able to get one of our investigators to come with us" But as the day went on, no one was home. I think of the 12 we had scheduled we taught a total of 3 people. We were running out of options. It was about 7:00, and we didn´t have anyone to go with us.
We decided to say a prayer, so we sat down on the side of the road, and prayed for us to be able to bring escogidos (God´s chosen people) to church with us. Then we went to our last two appointments. Neither one was there. So, it was 8:40, time for us to start heading home, and then we decided to try this one last house that was on our way home. This was a nice little family, that we had talked to for fifteen minutes on this past Tuesday. That is the only interaction that they had had with the missionaros before. We stopped by, sang a hymn, prayed, and invited them to church. They accepted. The Lord really did bless us. This does not happen. EVER.
I know that the Lord hears our prayers, and he answers them too. This is one of the first principles that we teach to the investigators. That is because it is so important to know that we can talk to our Father in Heaven, and what’s more, that He will answer. Now, I know that not all answers come like this one did, but I know that as I put my trust in the Lord, and have faith that he can and will answer my prayers he will bless me.
Anyway, I cannot believe that I forgot to tell you this last week, but now I look even more like Harry Potter. I have this big ole gash on my forehead. Me and my companion were walking along the sidewalk, when we saw one of our investigators. I was waving to them, when all of a sudden, BANG, I just stopped. I had run head on into one of the air conditioners, that are mounted on the side of the houses. So yeah. I was a little embarrassed, and I have the coolest scar ever. This was like my second day in my area.
Well, the address to the Mission Office is:
Río Choix #888
Col. Rosales, Culiacán, Sin.
C.P. 80230 A.P. 645
This is where all of the letters will go through.
Well, I have to go. I love you all mucho.
Love
Elder Johnson
April 4, 2011
Greetings from MEXICO!!!
Yes, that is correct, I made it to the land of hot weather alive. If I were to describe Mexico, I think that the word that would best describe it would be HOT. It is the first of April, and I´m pretty sure that the temperature is in the 90´s all the time. Everybody says this is the nice season. Ohhhhh joy, I can´t wait for August. A saying here in the mission is, "If you can love someone in the heat, you can love anyone." I believe it to.
My companions name is E. Cope, and he is the Lidre de Zona. (Zone Leader) So, basically, it is always busy, and I am in good hands. He has been out here for 20 months, and has the language down pat. He doesn´t speak English to me, except when I say "Comó se dicé....." or Qué signífica...." Which basically means, how so you say...? or what does..... mean? I can basically understand most of what is being said, the most frustrating part is that I cannot say what I want to say. It is extremely important for me to learn this language so that I will more effectively in bringing the gospel to the people of Mexicó,... Especially Los Mochis, which is where I am right now.
Another side note, apparently our mission is what is known as a baptizing mission, I didn´t truly appreciate what that meant, until this Saturday, when two investigators of ours were baptized. Their names were Roberto, and Yihydia (ju-hyd-a). It was quite the experience. And, I was only able to watch two sessions of conference, because the rule here is, you have to bring an investigator with you, or you don´t go. That was quite an eye-opener for me, along with the fact the it was in SPANISH! Ahhhhhh everything here is in Spanish, Including this computer I am using right now. Anyway, that is about the extent of my week. Oh, I forgot, I have probably walked about 2,000,000 miles or close to it in this past week! Ha ha, it is quite fun.
My mission president is such a Spiritual-Powerhouse/Giant. I really look forward to the opportunity of serving under his direction, and his wife is such a sweet lady. Anyway, I am sure that these next two years are going to be quite interesting. T here have already been so many experiences that I shall never forget. I have been so blessed to have been born in the United States, to a loving family. We are teaching a family, who lives in a house that is smaller that our living room. They have 9 children who live with them, they don´t have much work, and because of their poverty, none of their children can read. They do not have any access to water, and their power is going to be shut off soon, because they cannot pay the bill. I pray so hard that they will accept the gospel, so that they can experience that Joy and Happiness that accompanies it. It is such a blessing to know that if they make good decisions, get baptized, and endure to the end, they will be able to find a home in one of the Mansions that our Father in Heaven has prepared for them. My eyes have really been opened this past week, and I am sure that I still have more yet to learn.
I love you all so much, and am so grateful for your patience with me, and your faith. You are in my prayers continually.
Love
Elder Johnson
Yes, that is correct, I made it to the land of hot weather alive. If I were to describe Mexico, I think that the word that would best describe it would be HOT. It is the first of April, and I´m pretty sure that the temperature is in the 90´s all the time. Everybody says this is the nice season. Ohhhhh joy, I can´t wait for August. A saying here in the mission is, "If you can love someone in the heat, you can love anyone." I believe it to.
My companions name is E. Cope, and he is the Lidre de Zona. (Zone Leader) So, basically, it is always busy, and I am in good hands. He has been out here for 20 months, and has the language down pat. He doesn´t speak English to me, except when I say "Comó se dicé....." or Qué signífica...." Which basically means, how so you say...? or what does..... mean? I can basically understand most of what is being said, the most frustrating part is that I cannot say what I want to say. It is extremely important for me to learn this language so that I will more effectively in bringing the gospel to the people of Mexicó,... Especially Los Mochis, which is where I am right now.
Another side note, apparently our mission is what is known as a baptizing mission, I didn´t truly appreciate what that meant, until this Saturday, when two investigators of ours were baptized. Their names were Roberto, and Yihydia (ju-hyd-a). It was quite the experience. And, I was only able to watch two sessions of conference, because the rule here is, you have to bring an investigator with you, or you don´t go. That was quite an eye-opener for me, along with the fact the it was in SPANISH! Ahhhhhh everything here is in Spanish, Including this computer I am using right now. Anyway, that is about the extent of my week. Oh, I forgot, I have probably walked about 2,000,000 miles or close to it in this past week! Ha ha, it is quite fun.
My mission president is such a Spiritual-Powerhouse/Giant. I really look forward to the opportunity of serving under his direction, and his wife is such a sweet lady. Anyway, I am sure that these next two years are going to be quite interesting. T here have already been so many experiences that I shall never forget. I have been so blessed to have been born in the United States, to a loving family. We are teaching a family, who lives in a house that is smaller that our living room. They have 9 children who live with them, they don´t have much work, and because of their poverty, none of their children can read. They do not have any access to water, and their power is going to be shut off soon, because they cannot pay the bill. I pray so hard that they will accept the gospel, so that they can experience that Joy and Happiness that accompanies it. It is such a blessing to know that if they make good decisions, get baptized, and endure to the end, they will be able to find a home in one of the Mansions that our Father in Heaven has prepared for them. My eyes have really been opened this past week, and I am sure that I still have more yet to learn.
I love you all so much, and am so grateful for your patience with me, and your faith. You are in my prayers continually.
Love
Elder Johnson
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