Feb 1, 2016

Well Fam and Friends. This week was one of the most difficult weeks for me. Just pure trials and it's just started Ha. So in my first week of the office I got chickengunya pretty good. It hit hard this time and I was asleep in the office for 2 days. But that's not even half of it. So for the first time on my mission I didn't work and contact and teach and preach and sweat and hurt and walk and do what missionaries are called to do for 5 days straight... and it stunk so stinkin' bad. It was soooo hard. Half the time I want to cry because I feel like I'm not doing anything I should be. It's so different for me and I do not like not being in the field. But sorry about the pity party, I'm just really trying to explain Brigham's story for the last 4 months. The office, I found out, is the last place a missionary wants to be. You missionaries working your hiney's off and always sick and getting home and being tired...soak it all up.
But it'll get better. This week we left at 8:00 every night because of multi-zone conf. and there were a ton of things to do. But next week we should leave at the regular time. But man, Thursday just killed me. We had such, but such, and amazing zone conf. and I was so pumped...then we couldn't go work. It's really different and tough and I'm going to try to figure out what the Lord wants me to learn here. But now the thing we're doing as a mission (credit to Elder Duncan) is "The 40 Day Fast" it's the coolest thing ever! And I desperately need it. I invite all to look it up and try it out. I have a lot to sharpen up in and I have to be a lot better and I think the Lord put me here to do that and for me to realize what a privilege he gave me to be a missionary in the mission field. I know I should never complain about what the Lord gives me freely and I'm sorry about that, and my heart is touched just to even think about the miracles and tender mercies the Lord has given me in this brief period of time up until this point. And I will forever be in debt to the Lord for the opportunity He gives me to share the most wonderful message in the entire world to people who don't know about it. I sure am grateful I have gotten to do that. If it's to 100 people or just 1 person, I'm grateful for all of it.
And now it's Sunday but Saturday was one of the greatest days ever! I can't wait to tell what happened! So we got to go to the Temple and I printed out family names and we got to do them! :) And then Elder De La Rosa - I showed him how he can do the work for his family and he printed out his first name which was his grandpa! And he did all the work for him! He was so pumped! Oh that's another thing, Elder De La Rosa is in the office as well! So Elder Bingham, Elder Burnham, Elder De La Rosa and I are the team in the office. But anyways we're driving back and Elder Terrazas called me and told me he had good news and proceeded to tell me that FAMILIA PORTILLO (the family we found along with Elber) prayed and are going to get MARRIED and BAPTIZED!!!! hahaha So I'm going to go to the baptism and wedding this month.:) There's the proof of the indescribable power of fasting. Elder Terrazas and Elder Corey took them to the Temple too!
But I feel so much better because today was Sunday and we worked our hiney's off! We found a family that could really be something! It was such a cool story! We also have a baptism this week! Hermana Jina! She's way awesome.
But this week was one to learn from and it was hard but it was good.
I'm thankful for the first time going to the mall, Denny's at 2 in the morn (because we had permission and hadn't eaten all day), Costco for the first time in 18 months, for Cinnabon, Crepes, the chiropractor and the treatment, my comp, the new fam we found, Fam. Portillo and the good news!:), my family and their prayers, the ability to repent, sleep, my Savior, the new ward, the Temple and it's power, andddd a washer and dryer!
~Elder Johnson

My compaaa!

Throw back to the first day of the mission!

25 Jan. 2016

This week my heart was thrown on the ground, picked up, brushed off... then thrown on the ground again. Hahaha. Right now I have it protected in a box. No, but man! Sooo look. I was real upset last week because I for sure for sure thought I was staying. My companion has been there for 6 months (now will be for 7 1/2) and I had only had 3, and Jardines was my favorite area (along with La Vega) and I loved those people so stinking much and with the recent baptisms and the baptisms we were going to have, especially Brayan and maybe that new family, man I was just heart-broken. And I was going to La Pradera as a district leader with Elder Molina I found out. So I said bye to everyone, cried my head off and then was pumped to go to a new area and learn new things. Just ready to roll. So changes happen, my companion and Elder Duncan keep telling me, "It'll be ok" and I was like, "uh duh, obviously." haha. Go to the new area and it is MASSIVE! Like just huge! and I'm just giddy inside can't wait to find those 2 families, my comp is awesome, the house is great, everyone is so nice...so I unpack everything andddd we're about to visit some people and we're walking in the street, all a sudden I get a call. It's Elder Duncan. And he's like "ready for the news I'm about to tell you?" And I was like, "huh?" He proceeds to tell me how I am going to be the new Secretary of Membership. Poocha! Then he explained something about the Zone Leaders (didn't really understand this part) and this 7 week change, I don't know, but that's why I had to go here for a week and then Monday I go to the office...
Oh man! The office...it'll be good. But all the Herriman boys are in the office haha! We'll see each other every day and Elder Bingham and I are living in the same house and all that Jazz but guess what..!!?? I get to drive in Honduras! WHOOO!! And Elder Terrazas is still my zone leader. And I'm the District Leader of the office so I have to call him every day. Gonna be fun.
But dang! This area is so amazing! All the members are so loving and supportive and we worked so stinking hard this week! There are so many investigators that are really awesome and progressing. Man, I am so nervous to go to the office. I just want to be out in the field. I'll probably end my mission there which is a real bummer. But I've got to go in with a positive attitude! Brigham Sharp you best be helping me! But this week was so fun, and man I sure am thankful for this week and all the people I got to meet.
Also! People! The black chiropractor from Haiti who studied in the U.S. and Honduras saved my back! The entire day on Friday I was thanking Heavenly Father. So he showed what was going on in my back or what happened and my last vertebrae thing got moved and that was what was causing so much pain. Because it doing that, also affected another something, I don't know how/remember to explain it but he explained it, did some janky things, popping my back and it just felt so relieved! Then did treatment like the treatment in the states and I have to go back 3x a week to finish therapy! But thank you for all your prayers and love! Speaking of prayers...why was Alma the younger visited by an angel? "And again, the angel said: Behold, the Lord hath heard the prayers of his people, and also the prayer of his servant, Alma, who is thy Father...therefore, for this purpose have I come to convince thee of the power and authority of God, that the prayers of his servants might be answered according to their faith." Just wanted to say thanks to all my friends and family for your prayers. Specific prayers from family members, friends, missionaries in your district/zone really can help a missionary find new people and have baptisms. Example - Elber and Brayan. Thank you Family.
Also with that I was able to go to Brayan's baptism! It was so good to see everyone there! Elber might be going to Mexico soon! He got offered a really good job because he's a chef.
This week was a really good and strange one. Brought a lot to church and met some really awesome people here. But I'm excited for the new change and the opportunity to change and grow. Love this church. Love this Gospel.
This week I'm sooo thankful for chiropractors, medicine and the study of bodies, that God likes to see me change and out of my comfort zone, all the surprises, blessings, trials, and opportunities I have in front of me, my new in-soles!, my family in Jardines de Toncontin, my beautiful mission, the scrips, Brayan's baptism, my comp. for a week with Elder Molina, and my new comp Elder Burnham, my Heavenly Father, and the Holy Ghost who gives me the excitement and comfort I always need. Oh and the best Z.L.'s I've ever had Elder Garcia and Elder Rodas! (even if it was for only a week)
-Elder Alec Johnson

Elder Molina!

Elder Rodas!! In the Temple from Nicaragua!

Awesome soon to be missionary in the Pradera

My new comp Elder Burnham and I'm taking Elder Rivadeinaras place in the office

Proud to be a Johnson...and a Uribe.:) #benefitsofbeingintheoffice

Jan 18, 2016

That awkward moment when you realize if you were a sister missionary you'd be coming home this week... But if I was a sister missionary I wouldn't have been able to see all the miracles that happened this week!
Man this week was nuts! And one thing I've really learned to love and enjoy is walking home with people that just got baptized. I don't know, it just makes your heart so grateful to God and makes you so humble to see the process of knocking on a door, meeting a stranger, the stranger letting you teach something AND come back, and then their progress, and then they make a covenant with God at the waters of baptism. Then you're walking with them home and there's nothing like it. God is so cool.
But ok. So the plan was to have 4 baptisms. We ended up with 2. And I am so happy. So Elber got baptized with Anthony.
1st - Elver...hahahah I still can't believe this guy is real. You guys wouldn't believe it. After he got baptized he gave a testimony that would've had Elder Holland giving an applause. All the members were just shocked at this guy. I wish you guys could see him. And we knocked on his door a little more than 2 weeks ago! There's no words to explain how amazing he is and how much I love him.
2nd - Anthony! Si Hombre! He's 13 and was ready freddy for his baptism! Told us this week that he prayed and got a warm feeling about everything. He's so cool.
So with Nubia something happened that she called and told us 5 hours before the baptism. That was a bummer but she'll get baptized soon. Now with Brayan!! So he didn't get baptized but that's ok! He's getting baptized this week! What was so amazing is he told us something that totally could in the New Era! haha! So he explained to us a little before we contacted him washing clothes he offered a prayer and just asked God to send messengers from the true church of God... then we came. :) And at first he was a little skeptical because of what people say about Mormon's but after a couple visits, he knew for sure this was his answer! Man this guy is so brave and amazing! And he wants to repent and do what is right. He's so honest and pure.
This change was full of trials, frustration, hard work with no stop, and pure miracles. Then kids that have been members for years, the parents are starting to come to church and let us teach them and just man... so many things. Also, we found a family 2 weeks ago when we found Elber and the wife went to the baptism AND church. And the husband is reading the things we leave them and they are progressing! I don't know but maybe it's the family!! Familia Partillo!
Speaking of families  I don't know if you've seen the Liana or Ensign for this month but there's a message from Paul B Pieper about the 3 realitites of life and the 3rd talked about having kids and he said that when God gave the commandment to have kids it was just like any other commandment, Sabbath Day, tithing, etc. And it shocked me to think of it like that. #randomthoughtfromelderjohnson
But so we find out if we have changes in 2 hours and I'm freaking out because everyone is telling me I'm going to the office and I DO NOT want to go there. But not even that, we have so much work to do and people to love in this area! Ah I'm dying!! But have a great week!!
This week I'm thankful for miracles, Elver, Brayan, Antony, answered prayers, a heart, this change, medicine, alfredo sauce, a microwave, that Elder Vale taught me how to make a cake in a microwave, my Savior, work, my house, my ward here, all the members, my Savior Jesus Christ, the prophet Joseph Smith, anddddd my mission.
~Elder Alec Johnson

Newest addition to my baggy.

11 Jan 2016

Someone please find Z for me. Haven't heard from him since last August! or Sept.!
This week was one of those rare "perfect weeks"...well almost perfect until Sunday night. haha. But we had leadership mtg on Tuesday and it was super good. On Friday we had our zone meeting and it was A.W.E.S.O.M.E. Other stuff happened too over the week but I don't remember.
But! It was an "almost perfect week" because everybody is ready for their baptisms! Brayan, Elver, Antony, and Cami! They all went to church and they're so excited. We also took them to the Temple on Sunday! Super Cool. Oh and even Elver helped clean the church with the ward on Saturday. The guy is awesome. Like this group of people are just a miracle. So so so thankful to my Heavenly Father for letting us get to know them and teach them. The only bummer was when we called Ledrin because he told us he was back and then we found out he moved because he came back to his apartment/room and they rented it out to someone else. So now he lives in Mision Tegucigalpa.:( But we're going to pass the reference. Also realized on Sunday that the Lord really does protect his missionaries. Good week. This week will be better. Pray for Brayan, Elver, Antony, Cami and Nubia so they can be baptized this week! Love y'all!
This week I'm thankful for Elder Terrazzo, that Brayan received an answer, Elder Goodman, new Bishop, nasty jelly beans, Mimi's package!!!, chocolate!!, Juan David, scripture cases, family Fueates, that we made stove top stuffing, La Mega Colonia, meetings, excitement, humility, and charity.
Elder Alec Johnson
Scrip of da week: Alma 34:39

THESE ARE OUR GUYS!!!

Jan 4, 2016

This week was incredible! It was so amazing!! Honestly don't know where to start! Si Hombre!
Well flip! I'll just start with our 4 baptisms we're going to have the 16th! And the stories behind each one of them is incredible. Well we hope to have 4 if all goes well! Please Pray! The 1st is Hermana Ru**. My comp and his comp before found her and it's been a work helping her to take this step. Like 5 months it took. But she's awesome with a great spirit. Then! Br**! The 20 year old we found washing clothes! I love this man so much. He's so amazing. So many stories with him. One of the greatest persons I've met on the mission. Then his brother An** who's 13 and his other brother Ca** are just the greatest and the mom signed and gave them permission to be BAPTIZED! THEN. On Tuesday we found and taught a 30 year old man named El**. I still don't know if he's for real. He lives alone, is a chef, and it probably, along with Br**, will be one of the most spiritual moments in my life when we first met and talked. He went to church. Loved it. And all a sudden he just thanked us for coming to his house and went off how his life is forever changed and how he wants to spread and teach the Gospel to everyone! He wants it all so bad. He's the 1st person I've seen with so much faith like this. It's incredible. We have others who are progressing but I don't know why the Lord blessed us like this all a sudden this week. Because man, we've been fried these last couple weeks! Like really tested. And then all this happened out of nowhere! Also Le** comes back this week!
Oh and New Year's was sweet. Fun stuff and I got to do divisions with Elder Duncan (o sea Kody haha) and it was sooooooo AWESOME! So fun! And so spiritual. We gave lesson 1 to an investigator of theirs and a random friend and it was so powerful. They both accepted a baptism date and I found out they went to church! They're real! It was such a blast with him. And it was so good the way we taught. It was different with a comp that we don't know how each other teaches and all that, but it clicked real well. Good stuff.
Well anybody have any hints about how to help my back? Or do I just buy one on Ebay?
Well 2015 was the most difficult and beautiful year of my life and 2016 is going to be even more beautiful. 2016 BABAY! This is the year! Also it's been a year exactly since Gustavo and Michelle got baptized. Please pray for them.

This week I'm thankful for miracles, the number 16, the power of Love, Divisions, Herriman High, Peace that comes from the spirit, El**, new Bishop, Br**, An**, Ca**, Elder Duncan, rest, hope, trials, toothpaste, fruit, my comp's package, Mexican candy, anddd an opportunity to keep on keepin' on in the beautiful year of 2016 living the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

~Elder Alec Johnson
Scrip of da week: Luke 12:43

Keeping traditions! 

Before New Years...

After New Years!