New Companion!

First day with his "son", Elder Garcia

Handwritten letter that he wrote, took a picture of, and emailed....Mom just typed out.:)

11/10/14

Hey Fam!

Just have a few min to write! Man this week was like Christmas for me! I got 3 packages! 2 from the fam and 1 from my other mom, Momma McMullin! But just wanted to tell you guys how excited I am to train a newbie! What a privilege it is! The Lord has put great confidence in me and it's time for me to step it up. So excited for all the ideas I have! Pretty nervous but I know the Lord's going to take care of me. IF I'm obedient! Speaking of, got the music you sent and wel...there's only one song..and it's Thankful For the Rain! Ha! And hey I'm all down for that! It's my fav song! But it's hard to be obedient cuz I want to listen to it! Ha! But I thought about it and it'd be easier to upload songs on a CD and send those and then I can upload on the USB. Man, I feel read bad because how much money you've spent and keep spending on me. But so grateful for all the food! Funny thing, one of the Pero's burst open and all the stuff was covered ha! But, no se pre culpe! All good! Boy do I love letters. These were the best! I love letters and pics more than anything! Well, and all that stuff. Haha! So perfect what you guys got me! Oh and the ties! My dad's ties! Man was I freaking out! And the Ensign! AND CHICK-FIL-A Sauce!! And white tootsie rolls! Man, am I spoiled! I keep giving the Halloween teeth to the kids and they love it! If you do send more things (which you don't have to at all) but put some creative things for the kids! These new 3 months I'm gonna go nuts with service. Sister Savage taught me that!

But oh! Also if you haven't sent a Christmas package yet, you should put that song by Dixie Chicks or She-Daisy, not sure who, but the Christmas one. The one that's like Christmas time...! Something, something, ya ya, haha! Not sure if you know that one. Speaking of Christmas. Whoo! So Excited! I have a question. Is Nana and Papa gonna come up because I really want to speak in Spanish to him! I understand and want to reply to his emails but there is NEVER time! It's so cool to just understand stuff. Sometimes I really don't know a lot and sometimes I don't understand what someone says and it's frustrating but then I realize how much the Lord has blessed me with the gift of tongues in just 4 months! And it's only getting better! But now I'm a little freaked out about probably training a Latino all that I've been taught and being the senior companion, Holy poop! I'm freaking out right now! HA! Going to need a lot of your prayers! Ah! I'm going to be teaching the most! But no, I'm all good. The Lord will take care of the rest if we're obedient and work hard!

Way cool story this week other than ALL the crazy stuff. Just a story that really helped. So our inv. L** who has been with us since the 1st week, has a testimony of Jose Smith, LDM, everything and has L** who is a member as a spouse but he just hasn't made the decision to be baptized because it's been tough on his family, mostly his mom, about changing churches. But he's amazing. We had a quick lesson with him on Tuesday and he just told us and the Bishop, because the Bishop went with us, that he couldn't believe that I can speak in Spanish when the first few visits I could only bear testimony. And then he continued to say that when I bore testimony and talk in Spanish that he just feels power. And both him and Laura talk about how although I'm not good at speaking, they feel something. And it bore testimony to me, that the Spirit really is the teacher. And a lot of the time I forget that!

Baptism of M** and V** is this Saturday instead of Tuesday. Bummer my dad (E. Borge) is not going to be with us for that, but my son sure is lucky! Sure am grateful for E. Borge and all he's done. In all reality, it was the hardest 12 weeks of my life. But I learned and grew more than I ever could anywhere else in 12 weeks. He taught me SO MUCH. So much! I really learned to love him and the change in HIM in 12 weeks has been tremendous. He really was the perfect trainer for me, as hard as it was. Sure love the guy. Now I'm going to use what I learned and use my ideas I have and be who I am to serve these people of La Vega! So excited to grow and go through these next 12 weeks with a new vision and new everything! My love for the scriptures and just learning is growing every day. And most importantly I'm developing Christ like Attributes that I want to have to serve and help others, not only on the mission, but forever! I miss you guys more than anything but I'm doing better! It's just so freaking hard to have a family like ours and try to not miss them. It's impossible! But you guys just give me strength and I feel your love and prayers just pushing me forward! But the Pero you sent me is heaven. Ha! As you guys already know, I'm pretty ADD out here and my mind is everywhere so sorry about that.

But in all seriousness, it's amazing to be a representative of the Lord, Jesus Christ. I'm so thankful for the growth I have had in just 4 months. I'm grateful for my Papi Elder Borge and I really am going to miss him. I'm grateful for your words and love always. I'm grateful for Honduras and I'm grateful for a family in our ward invited us to dinner for Thanksgiving on Thurs. :)

Know that I love you guys and your homework is to read a Conference talk every day this week! Solo como 10 minutes en su dia! Solo eso! Se que puedan hacerlo! Voy a escribir en Espanol para confundirles. ;) But that's your homework! I love you guys and hope you have a great Thanksgiving!

-Elder Johnson

Matthew 5:14

IT'S AN ELDER!

WELPPPP! I'm a Dad (aka-trainer)! haha! I am so excited.. I dont even know what to say! So I found out on Wednesday during a lesson with V** we were having, Pres. Fortuna called and let me know that I'm training, I was speechless! But I am sooo excited. SO EXCITED. I HAVE SO MANY IDEAS AND JUST.. WHOO! Heavenly Father has put a lot of trust in me. I cant wait! But also Elder Hale is a trainer! And Elder Andrews! We're all the gringos that were new! So exciting! Love those guys! And we will all be in the same area for another 3 months..! pretty crazy 6 months the same! But I am so grateful for E. Borge and all he did to help me. It was the hardest 12 weeks but I've never been so happy. Times were tough, but thats why life is so great. Because trials define us. He seriously is a 4th missionary and more. Gonna miss that man.

But I just wanted to talk about the power of prayer for a second. I CANNOT BELIEVE I went days without praying in the morning when I wasnt a missionary. I really can't believe it. Idk how I went through the day without a morning prayer. Without guiadance, love, and protection from our Heavenly Father.. I dont understand it.. Ha! I want all of you to remember this this week. When you wake up youre gonna think of my email. And then youre gonna think of what I said in the email. And then youre gonna remember I talked about prayer. AND THEN YOURE GONNA SAY YOUR PRAYERS IN THE MORNING! ok? I promise it'll work! ha! It's just so important to start your day off with a prayer! and THERE IS ALWAYS TIME FOR A PRAYER. ALWAYS. Well I think I'm gonna write a paper and just send that as my weekly email cuz thats a whole lot easier. I love you guys! 

How are my boys?? Herriman basketball? and how did football do? cant believe Will is home! 

This week im grateful for Elder Borge, to be a dad (he means trainer), Spanish, my area, SERVICE, the opportunities the Lord gives us each and every day, 3 packages!!!, ties, tootsie rolls, chick fil a sauce, MY LIFE!!!

-Elder Johnson

 

OH AND ANOTHER THING! IF YOU GUYS COULD TAKE A LOOK AT MY INSTAGRAM BECAUSE FOR THE WARMTH OF THE CHILDREN STARTED AND THOSE KIDS NEED TO BE WARM THIS WINTER! HATS GLOVES AND SOCKS! LOVE YOU ALL! CARTER IS IN CHARGE THESE NEXT 2 YEARS SO IF YOU HAVE ANY PREGUNTAS, CHISTES, CHISME, COMMENTARIOS, HE'S THERE TO HELP!

REMEMBER

 The best way to save oneself, is to save someone else.

SERVICE!!!!

(So funny, in a letter home this week from early Sept., he told us he misses SpongeBob)

Thanks Mama McMullen!

 

Training to be Trainers...

From the Mission Blog:

Elders and Sisters preparing to train new missionaries who will receive the next Mars, will be excellent coaches.

 

Only pictures this week...

Elder Johnson is having a hard week and was also sick on top of it, so he could definitely benefit from your prayers in the next couple of days. :) Thank you!
Hopefully next week we will get good news of 'all is well'.

 

Preaching on the bus!

Ok this week was crazy (again)! no baptisms this week because K** and W** all a sudden dont want to be baptized.. pretty weird but that's a different story. It's just not their time right now. But it was a tough amazing week! We found a family that is READY!! Familia G**! L** and their kid that looks like Luke and his name is Alexander! And then we have M** who is 12 and her mom passed away 7 years ago and she loves the gospel. She cant wait to be baptized ON THE 22ND!! And V**.. wow is she a different person. It's amazing what the Spirit can do to a person when they read the Book of Mormon. Just amazing. She's ready for the 22nd as well! Buttt she wants to get baptized in a river and we sorta promised her that so we gotta find a river by 2 weeks.. haha there's one in la vega and its huge BUT NASTY.

But this week we had Zone Conference and boy was it just amazing! Pres Fortuna is the most amazing man.. so powerful and he just.. he's just the greatest!  

Had a real cool experience with Elder Borge because we decided not to fear anyone so we made a promise to always talk on the bus.. LOVE MY COMP!! Like ask the driver to turn off the music and give a little sermon, and our first bus ride we had an investigator on the bus, so Elder Borge talked to him, and I gave a little 5 min discurso to the people on the bus! They all had their eyes down and didn't like to answer the questions but it was so cool, Elder Rojas and I did it! The one that's as short as Luke! We passed out los 13 articlous de fe and then today I found out that the Hermanas in our district found someone yesterday completely ready for baptism and accepted a date, and to not work on Sunday and all that. They asked her how she found out about the church and she said 2 missionaries yesterday were talking on the bus and wanted to learn more..! SO REMEMBER IF YOU FEEL LIKE YOURE NOT GOOD ENOUGH OR CANT DO SOMETHING, DO IT! I am a gringo and I'm speaking terrible Spanish but it doesn't matter because the Lord can do miracles if you open your mouth and let the spirit do the work! Love you all! 

-Elder Johnson

Estoy agradecido por Pres Fortuna, mi area, pruebas, los mandamientos, himnos, Fresca Tropical uva (Papa y mi padre lo amarían esta fresca) una nueva familia, e. borge, y el conocimiento que vivimos con nuestro Padre Celestial antes esta vida y podemos vivir con el y nuestras familias después!


**Translation: I am grateful for Pres Fortuna, my area, tests, the commandments, hymns, Tropical Fresh grapes (Papa and Dad would love them this fresh) a new family, E. Borge, and the knowledge that we lived with our Heavenly Father before this life and we can live with him and our families after!

 

Zone Conference

Zona Toncontin y Loarque