Adios Honduras, I'm going home.

Correction. This week beat last week on the whole crazy level.

Sooo to start off the week we had a goal to get 70 great contacts to finish so strong! ANDDD Heavenly Father taught us some lessons about patience and a whole lot of trials!

Monday and Tuesday my comp had zika so we only left for a couple hours to work:( But we worked while we could! 

THENNNN the missionary got sent home that it was in the other part of Santa Fe... Holy cow do I have stories this week oh my goodness. SOOO we were in a trio for 2 days! Wednesday and Thursday! And then the wedding...

THE WEDDING!! SO THIS WHOLE WEEK WE WERE WORKING MAKING SURE THAT ALL THE PAPERWORK WAS GOOD TO GO. THEY HAD TO GO TO THEIR LITTLE TOWN OF PESPIRE TO GET ALL THEIR PAPERWORK OUT ANDDD IT WENT ALL GOOD! NO WORRIES! Then we had to get with the lawyer and make sure everything was in order for the wedding and it was, and all week this process just went back and forth back and forth... With 3 missionaries.. one sick... going to both areas of santa fe.. sleeping in 2 uneven beds with 3 missionaries... I've never been so tired in my life. Then friday we had the ward party to raise some funds and basically nobody came haha but it was good! Raised a little and so we bought the cake and they were so excited to get married and then Saturday came around and this was the best wedding in town! FANTASTIC.! Like everything went so perfect after so much sacrifice and work I was just filled with joy.. we didnt have the baptism because Waleska already would have been baptized but she wants to be baptized with Carlos and Carlos is working on some problems but i will be watching their baptism on skype next week! We asked Waleska if she really was gonna always go to church and she's like uh of course I am. I am getting married for crying out loud. And then we asked her what happens if the members say something to offend you and she responds "I dont go for the members! I go for what I have felt and what I continue to feel!" that statement made everything worth it. It was just wonderful.! And they continue to go to church!

And then on Friday I had my last interview with my wonderful Pres of the best mission in the entire world. It was one of the most amazing things I've ever been able to be a part of. I love Pres Ferman with all my heart.  

Thennnn yesterday.. last full day of work.. were working and all a sudden my stomach starts hurting and i just thought it was the nervousment of going home and all that jazz but then it started killing and well since like 5 last night I've been throwing up and in and out of the bathroom ahha. It was literally one of the hardest nights I've ever had on the mission.. And it was really humbling because I learned a lot about the Atonement last night. It was really rough but I have no doubt that Christ really did atone for every single one of us. I have no doubts of anything about this church. But I'm better today, just mighht be a little weak on Wednesday when im hugging but cant wait to see my FAMILY!! FIE!! 

So this week was just a whole lot of running around charlie brown sorta thing with a bunch of sicknesses and a whole lot of miracles and testimony builders. But really isn't life just a whole lot of running around charlie brown sorta thing? Trying to do our best to help others reach the goal of eternal life. Thats what this life is all about. I know it. Just helping others get to that destination of exaltation with the ones they love. And as we do that, we get that same thing:) 

Se que esta es la iglesias verdadera. Y para siempre jamas voy a decirlo. Una y otra vez. Cada día. Nunca he experimentado tanto gozo, tanta tristeza come he experimentado aquí en la mejor misión del mundo. Tal vez no fui el mejor misionero en el mundo con millones de bautismos, que obedecía con exactitud en cada momento, que hablaba perfectamente el español, pero puedo decir que yo ame mi gente de Honduras mas que cualquier otro misionero. Yo amo este paiz y cada persona aquí. Como dice en Alma 30 9 es un privilegio a servir a Nuestro Padre Celestial. Y ha sido un placer para mi a conocer mi Padre un pocito mas en estés 2 anos. Y conocer y aprender y amar su Amado Hijo, mi Salvador y Redentor, aun el mismo Jesucristo, un pocito mas también. Se que los dos me aman y por este razón he servido con todo mi corazón, alma, mente, y fuerza por estos 2 anos. He fallado muchas veces pero por esta razon, se que la Expiación es real y nos puede salvar y rescatar, si estamos dispuestos a hacer nuestro parte. El Libro de Mormón es la palabra de Dios y la clave de nuestra religión. Yo se con todo mi corazón que Jose Smith fue un profeta y gracias a el, Jesucristo pudo restaurar Su iglesia nuevamente sobre la tierra. Las familias son eternas. Poocha ya termine la misión! Yo amo este evangelio y voy a seguir trabajando igual por mi Padre Celestial. La iglesia es verdadera entonces que mas importa?:)

Also wanted to say thanks to all my best buds that have just come home and are leaving for all you've done. ALMA 29. Elder Sharp, Elder McMullin, Elder Sollis, Elder Maynard, Elder Enger, and all the rest.. Love you guys.

This week Im thankful for the most wonderful, difficult, challenging, marvelous, incredible 2 years I've had.. up to this point:) I'm thankful for my family, for my Savior, for my Father in Heaven, and for this Gospel. Its all true.

EVERYTHING IS INCREDIBLE.

See you guys on Wednesday!

-Elder Alec Johnson

the church is true.

¨And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don´t believe in magic will never find it.¨-Roald Dahl

MATEO 5:14 SOIS LA LUZ DEL MUNDO!!!

July 4th 2016

Poocha hombre. Voy a estar en casa la otra semana.

OK... Easily craziest week of my mission. From a missionary going home to chickenguya to a great game of basketball with Elder Hale about 3 hours ago... More crazy than when we had to sleep at a members house in Siguatepeque and take Hermana Martinez to the hospital at 4 in the morn.

THIS WEEK WAS AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! JUST KEEP FIGHTING!!! "finishers wanted" by Pres Monson is an incredible talk.

Ok so this week.. oh boy idk even know what to say. So we just barely got done finishing a fundraiser 4th of July bbq for.... FAMILIA REYES BABY!!!!! LETS GOOO!!! 4 zones came and we almost didn't get permission from president but it worked! Haha it was nuts! We sold plates of food and spent ALL our money this week for all the food and we made like 800 limps so not too much but it was a good turnout and the food was as good as America gets here! So Fam Reyes ay they are just the greatest... They might not be baptized this week but they're converts through and through. I asked him this week before we made all the plans for the wedding if they really believed this was the true church of Christ and Hermano Carlos says "ya I say so because you guys don't rob God and lie like all the other churches I've been in. Ya I know this is true." HAHA IT WAS SWEET! And then the Hermana said "If I could, I would get married tomorrow to not be in sin" and its so nuts because when we first talked about marriage 3 weeks ago they were NOT on board with any of that. And then all we did was teach the doctrine and let them know that money doesnt matter. Its about sacrifice. So we did that fundraiser and the ward is doing one this week so we should be good with the funds...! we hope! WHOO!! and then on Sunday Hermana Waleska tells us that in the relief society they were talking about the activity for the wedding and a kinda of shwirmy hermana starts talking about saying things in front of her of how the last time they helped marry a family they went inactive and all these things and the hermana Waleska was like "I wanted to say something right there and then to the face of that hermana but I said nope. If she thinks I'm doing all this to just do it, she's wrong. she'll see." YESSSS!! we were so scared because the members here offend a lot of people but fam Reyes is STRONG!!! SO THE WEDDING IS THE WEEK AND HOPEFULLY THE BAPTISM!!!!! I AM SO PUMPED! WE HAVE WORKED LIKE ANIMALS THIS WEEK HAHA 

Thennnn we brought 11 to church!! We just keep finding GREAT people out of nowhere! 

And Dario:) he's been going to alcohol anonymous for a week and its helping him a lot. A lot a lot. he hasn't drank for like 9 days now and we finally got to talk to him yesterday after a week not seeing him and he's doing great. We're starting up with him again with a little different approach.

And the zone conference! easily the best zone conf I have ever had. we went out with a bang on this one. Missionaries were very excited and came up to us thanking for the revelation that was received in the leaders counsel on Wednesday. Elder High and I planned a lot for that meeting. Love my comp of mine. Speaking of which he kinda got chickenguya or something yesterday so he's taking it easy but he feels better!

So next week I'm just going to share my testimony... I cant believe this. But going to give a little shoutout to all my comps I've had.

Elder Borge- Taught me how to work, plan, and not be afraid of ANYTHING. Thank him for that.

Elder Garcia- He taught me how fun it was to work, be crazy, laugh, cry, and be personal with EVERY PERSON I MEET. I love that son of mine with all I've got. 

Elder Montejo- loco Mexicano taught me how to teach with doctrine. also taught me how not to be baggy hahahah 

Elder Gonzalez- Taught me patience and to love everyone for who they are. Great change in Campamento where we worked like osos.  

Elder Borge (why yes again) - taught me this change to work well with members and teach anything, anywhere, with any scripture.

Elder Montero- taught me a lot about the Atonement of Christ and being who you are at all times, changing for no one but Heavenly Father.

Elder Paiz- Taught me how to be tranquilo..? And he helped me get my animo back! and to especially love the members and be persistent. este paizano!! 

Elder De la Rosa- Taught me to be direct and the importance of working hard always. and he taught me how to cook 

Elder Terrazas- Taught me how to be exactly obedient and see the blessings in return. love that man.

Elder Burnham- Taught me to be calm in circumstances that I hated to be in. And to be organized!

Elder Estrada- Taught to be crazy and loving and work in a team and love as a team and do everything as a team. 

Elder High- He has taught me the importance of being spiritual in all things but also having fun in all things. He's a great example of just being a good person and doing what's right. 

I love this church. I love it so much. I love my Savior so much and I am going to make sure everyone knows it this week. The Book of Mormon is real and true. The plan of God is good. Real good.

This week I'm thankful for the 4th of July, for pies, for these miracles I have been able to be a part of this week, for my fam, for my heart, for my Heavenly Father's Heart, for my comp, for my camera, for joyous nights and days, for days where you are so tired and don't wanna move but the Atonement moves you and you see miracles you never thought were possible, for my best friends on the mish, and for my beautiful agenda that's been a part of me for 2 years.:) 

LOVE YALL. SEE YA NEXT WEEK.

--

-Elder Alec Johnson

the church is true.

¨And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don´t believe in magic will never find it.¨-Roald Dahl

MATEO 5:14 SOIS LA LUZ DEL MUNDO!!!

June 27th 2016

Oh people. Oh my people. This was one of those weeks where you just say "yes. oh yes." every night when you go to sleep. (well you actually say it in your dreams because you are out after 2 seconds on the pillow)

I'll share what happened during the week and do some updates and then send my journal entry of Saturday (dia de oro)

So Fam. Reyes this week over the phone said they would like to get married but cant afford it... when we heard that it was like a bomb going off. THATS ALL WE NEEDED. We exploded and immedately talked to the ward and boom boom boom. Fundraisers for the wedding! GOTTA GET THIS WEDDING DONE IN 2 WEEKS!!! the only thing is that they kinda dont know that they're going to get married the 9th of July.. hahahha because it was all so sudden and fast but tonight we tell them!

Dario... ey so sad what's been going on. He's been drunk like 3 days every week this whole month and we keep trying to help and we are going to have to leave him soon. He also said he is moving to Panama with his brother because he needs to get away from the influences here and some other people. Good for him. He will get baptized there. I know it. But I still love that man with all my heart.

Then on Friday it's 8:50 (BTW FOR FUTURE MISSIONARIES THERE IS ALWAYS A MIRACLE AT 8:50. ALWAYS.) and we were by the house and didn't know what we wanted to do so we decided to go down this sketchy street that weve never been on.. find a mesquitia family that went to the baptism and church and found a different family that is SO GOOD.. she said we were the only people that she's ever let in out of all the religions. LETS GO!!! 

Then Saturday. Oh beautiful Saturday. (see pics)

We have had many hardships and trials but we have been more than blessed as well. What a privilege it is to be here. The most wonderful thing that ever has happened to me. (up to this point;)) 

This week i am thankful for Gustavo Osorto (FIRST FAM!!), Mr. Axel and the miracle of him, my companion who is just a stud Elder High, (btw he restored a 1978 firebird transam special edition. its the coolest thing i have ever seen. in photos of course!), this wonderful life, that my back stopped hurting for a couple days (those were extremely good days haha), for the opportunity to give a last tema this the last zone mtg we are gonna have this week!, and the enabling power of the Atonement of the Savior of the world. 

GOTTA LOVE IT BABY!! 

 --

-Elder Alec Johnson

the church is true.

June 20th 2016

USA USA!!! Everyone is pulling for the USA down here!

LEBRON!! WWHAT!?!? Crazy stuff!! Went back to the city that burned his shirts and won them a championship. Not bad. #pdaysaregreat

Oh so many things. Trials and trials and more trials. But we just keep on rowing! Fighting and fighting! And that is why we are so tired haha.  But so Axel our baptism this week fell through because he visited his moms grave on Sunday and didn't go to church, so we were pretty down because we didnt have a baptism the month of June. But we just worked hard yesterday on Elder Highs bday and saw a ton of miracles! A ton! The elders from the other part of Santa Fe brought 17 people to church! Like 10 of them kids and teenagers! They reactivated a less active family and she's a teacher so she brought a ton of kids to church! 

Gustavo Osorto is ready to roll for this Saturday so technically we will end the month with a baptism! Still in awe with that one.

In other news big shoutout to big ol Partrick McMullin! Atta boy. 

Not sure what else to say because I never thought I would get to this point on the mission. I just love this Gospel more than anything I could ever dream of. It is so real and so wonderful. What else could one want? 

This week I am thankful for Fam. Reyes and their desire to do what's best (they are doing great!!), for interchanges, for my wonderful comp! Elder High, for my schedule for college that I got today #baggy, my wonderful fam, hard work, the scrips, the blessings that are poured out from Heaven on Gods children, anddddddddd my Bishop Roy.

Love you!

-Elder Alec Johnson

My main man chiropracto

Elder Neely!

We made pancakes for the zone!

23 months....

This week was literally the craziest week in the entire world. All that could happen happened. GOOD AND BAD. From a man with a his liver in a bag on a bus to a phone call from a very special friend.

Fam Reyes is great. They have come to church 3 times and we are just working with them for their papers! And they are from the south and they don't have much money so we've got to sell some baleadas to pay for their wedding! The goal is to marry them and baptize them the 9th.. the Saturday before I get home:) Just a humble, quiet, awesome family that I love. 

So I don't have time but on Friday everything came crushing down and we were just flabbergasted with everything that was happening. Like so many things with investigators, inv, everything. ha. Tough day after working so hard. But we didn't get down and told Heavenly Father that we were willing to pass through these trials to see the glory baby! dyc 103:12

Oh did the glory come. Oh did it come.. On Saturday we were contacting (did I ever say how much I love contacting? it is so amazing to be able to contact a new person and just love em without knowing them) and I get a call from Loarque the office elders and Elder De la Rosa says someone wants to talk to me. Ok... And its Gustavo! He asks me how I am and all that jazz, and then asks me what I'm doing the 25th of this month.... and we joke a lot (reminds me of my dad) and I tell him I have a date with a girl haha and he laughs and he says well you're going to have to move it to another day because YOU'RE GOING TO BE BAPTIZING ME THAT DAY....

WHATTTTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!

I was just so shocked and I still cant explain how humble and blessed I feel. Like nobody knows how much I love that family and he is getting baptized. we worked SO hard with him! He got married like 4 months ago by the Catholic church for crying out loud! 23 months without baptizing a family and there's no other family that I would be honored to baptize than familia Osorto. Oh the joy I feel. 

This week I am so thankful for my wonderful companion Elder High who I respect and love so much. He is just wonderful and a great man. So cool. SO cool. Also thankful for my blessed President of the mission. He is so merciful and amazing. Love that dude. I am also thankful for that wonderful phone call that changed my mission. It's all worth it. All worth it. And last of all but the for whom I am most grateful, my Savior. My wonderful Savior. Oh how He lives! And oh how He loves us. 

Love you all! 

-Elder Alec Johnson

the church is true.

Interchanges in the pouring rain!

I got my teeth cleaned!!

We played soccer with a couple zones in a huge field called flor del campo and here is my wonderful son and grandson! Elder Garcia and Elder Caballero. Also that is my 49er Patrick Willis jersey.;)

June 6th 2016

Oh snap I got my ticket today! ALL I'M SAYING AT 11 OCLOCK, I WILL BE HUGGGING MY MOTHER THANK YOU VERY MUCH! 

By the way I was thinking and I've decided my parents are perfect. Si o si. HAPPY BDAY POPS! greatest Dad ever in the entire world. I just love the guy!

In other news Dario is awesome. He leaves with us to visit an investigator coming, to testify of these things that he is learning?? Oh yes. Just that stinkin drinking problem and bad friends!! Pray for him please!

We had 7 in church this week! And fam Reyes!! Again! they are doing great! This week we are going to talk about the law of chastity and put a date for their wedding! INTENSE!!

AND THENNNN GUESS WHO GOT WORD THAT GUSTAVO TOLD WALDINA THAT HE WANTS TO GET BAPTIZED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He just hasnt told the missionaries!! SO SOON! and then Hermano Portillo is getting baptized this week!!!!!! for sure!! YES! 2 fams! and a third on the way!!

This week I read dyc 103:36 and its the coolest scripture ever.

Love this Gospel with all that I am! ALL THAT I AM! 

"36: All victory and glory is brought to pass unto you through your diligence, faithfulness, and prayers of faith."

This week I'm thankful for repentence, a clean house, the 49ers, meetings upon meetings that just make you feel like you're on a whole nother spiritual level, and just so many things I cant even explain because there is never enough time to write! 

love you all! 

-Elder Alec Johnson

Last Transfer!

Well 6 more weeks! Unreal. Pat you leave like next week right? hahah so nuts. SO NUTS. So my best bud Elder Estrada won't be the one to kill me :{ hes going to Juticalpa! But I am so grateful for that man. I love him like my brother. But really happy with who I recieve! Elder High! He is a spiritual giant so I'm excited to end with fire in my heart!!

In other news I kinda had some problems with an ingrown toenail so this weekend was a little different but it's all good! But I am pretty sure that anything that could happen on the mission, happened on my mission haha. But we got to play Risk!

This week was different. We had interviews with Pres and he asked us to divide all the areas and so it's been pretty crazy so we haven't had a lot of time to work work in our own area. But we are still fighting!

In my studies this week I've been reading the Doctrine and Covenants (almost done!) and I've really realized that the Lord really wants all that we can give him. And I also have been reading about Abraham and the Abrahamic covenant and it's interesting to see the covenants that the Lord made with His ancient people and with His Latter day saints. If we do all that the Lord says, he blesses us beyond anything we can comprehend. He loves us so much and wants us to become all that we can become.

This week I am So thankful for my companion and right hand man Elder Estrada, for the 6 weeks I had with him, for our people that we found, for the miracles we were able to witness, for my fam, for the scriptures, for pazza from pizza hut, for all the blessings my family and I recieve amidst the difficult times, and for the fact that God is a God of mercy and a God of Justice. 

-Elder Alec Johnson

the church is true.

¨And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don´t believe in magic will never find it.¨-Roald Dahl

MATEO 5:14 SOIS LA LUZ DEL MUNDO!!!