Elder Alec Johnson: Ag 23, 2015

So this week was one of the most rewarding and spiritual weeks of my life. One where Satan worked hard as well. So on Wed. we were on interchanges and I was with Elder Nauas who's a mini missionary, and so we were contacting a great part of the neighborhood, just door after door, lots of positive contacts. And then we hit the last door. A MASSIVE house with tons of stuff. So the guy opens the gate door, we start talking and at first I thought he'd just be another one of those guys that says he has his religion and all that. But then, he goes off saying all these things, all these questions and doubts he has, and how he's just confused and wants to know the truth. And Boom. We shared a little about the restoration and after he just said, "ok, you guys are coming to my house tomorrow and I'm sitting my wife and kids down and you're going to teach us." And it honestly was one of the most spiritual, tender moments I've ever had in my life. And so the next day we went and it was REAL! We taught the family and he doesn't have a lot of religious background and he understood everything. But the wife had a lot of great questions and it was so powerful. He had to go to Roatan (ya, I know) for work so they couldn't go to church, but they want to go, said they were going to pray and read the Book of Mormon and we're going over Tuesday. This familia Ro** is a miracle. And exact obedience brings miracles.

So if that just didn't make the best week ever, we had the chance to shake hands with and hear from a living Apostle of the Lord! And it was in the Cañada! So I got to pass by La Vega and see my old home! We heard from Elder Duncan as well and man, was it a great meeting. We shook hands with President Nelson and man his eyes just glow! But I'll just share a couple quotes he shared.
"It's a JOY to be with you." "Master the language of the scriptures" oh and this was pretty crazy, in a chapel of just missionaries he said we could think about marriage and said "the plan of salvation is a plan of happiness. And true happiness is only found in marriage." And then he gave us a warning and a promise "To make sure we found someone who loves God more than you. Because if she/he does, your love for each other will increase and increase as years go on." And then he said, "Just be wise. Make sure someone is worthy of you." Great advice for future.
"The Lord is not pleased with the fact that there are more men with out the Priesthood than with the Priesthood in the church." "You are the hope for praying wives and children." "The mission is an exercise in obedience." "The last dispensation in which we are in, is not only on this earth." "I'm not asking for converts or baptisms, I'm asking you to prepare these people for the Temple."

It was just GREAT! He was hilarious and so happy and it just felt right being with him. Also President Duncan's talk was so powerful! He's amazing! But then he extended an apostles blessing upon us and invoked a blessing that "we would be true disciples of Christ, being an attraction to the people." Blessed our families they they will be drawn closer to the gospel because of us and if they are sick of some-sort that they would be healed according to the Lord's will. And then blessed us we would continue being missionaries after our mission.
Amazing week, and pretty tough.

I'm grateful for my family and the plan of happiness, memories and time spent with them, grateful for an apostle of the Lord that was able to come visit us, Pres. Ferman and Pres. Bowler (mission pres in Tegue), Or** R and his fam, tender mercies, the fruits in Guaimaca, seeing all my friends, Pres. Mendoza and his elders quorum, class prayer, my journals, our district and zone, the Atonement, that water came after 6 days, and a loving Heavenly Father.

-Elder Alec Johnson