Buenos Dias mi familia y mis amigasos! Espero que todos estén legales y que hayan tenido un BUENASO semana. I have had a good week. I have been super humbled and have learned so much.
At the beginning of this week, I'm going to be honest, I was straight up nervous. I was so nervous to lead the area because I had no confidence in my Spanish, but it turned out to be one of the best weeks in my mission. My new companion, Elder Choque, is a G!!! I have learned so much from him. He's a really good teacher and he brings a strong spirit into the lessons, which I'm really thankful for.
On our first day together, we were walking on the street and we saw some dude (who I think was a Jehovah's Witness) straight up giving this lady a blessing and casting out an evil spirit on the side of the road, ha ha ha, we were walking and heard him yelling saying things like "DIABLO, SALE" and other things like that, it was super funny!
So on Friday, some elders in the zone had a baptism and we were going around to our investigators to invite them and we were walking all over our GRANDASO area. As we were walking back to our room, we found Wilson walking home from work. We invited him and he CAME!! For me that is huge because nobody is progressing here, nobody attends church or anything, but he went to the baptism and felt the spirit so strong. I was so thankful for that experience. I know that because we were working diligently and faithfully we were blessed with that tender mercy. I know with faith and real intent we can do all things!
I'm so happy with how things are going right now. My Spanish is getting a lot better and things are starting to pick up here in La Florida.
I hope that you all have a good week! I love and miss you all and pray for you every single day. Hasta Luego!!
Elder Johnson
Monday, June 27, 2016
Monday, June 20, 2016
Relleno de Sangre
BUENOS DIAS! I hope that everything is BACANASO back in the 435 an din the missions of my bros all over the world. First off, I want to give a Father's Day shout out to my Dad. I was thinkin about you here in TrujillOH MY GOSH! I hope you had a good day!
So first things first....this week I ate CUY (guinea pig) for the first time. I was pretty sketched because I only know those things as pets and next thing I know, I was eating one for dinner. It didn't taste bad, it was just hard for me to get over the fact that I was eating a guinea pig. I've eaten some pretty weird stuff here on my mission. The grossest thing I have eaten has got to be Relleno de Sangre. It looked like cut up sausage so I took a huge bite and to my surprise, after I ate it, they told me it was fried blood. It was DISGUSTING.
So, this week on Tuesday we got to go to the temple! It was so good to be at the temple. I won't ever forget the feeling I had as I walked on the temple grounds. The Spirit was so strong. However, we didn't get to do a session. One of the zone leaders recommend had expired so they left early in the morning so he could get an interview and the plan was to meet them at the temple. While we were waiting we were in the distribution center and when the ZL's got there, they didn't see anyone so they assumed we were already inside and went into the session. We ended up waiting for them to finish their session. We ended up not being able to go...it was too bad, but I was able to do other ordinances so it was still awesome, just not what I was expecting. I'm so thankful for the temple and for the spirit that is there.
So, on Thursday Elder Miller left to the offices and goes home tomorrow. I'm going to miss him, we were bros and I learned a lot from him. That being said, my new companion is Elder Choque from Arequipa, Peru. He just finished training an Elder from my group and will be the new district leader. He is going to be a G and we're going to get some work done here in La Florida. He will get here tomorrow so I'll send photos next week. I have been mobbin' with Elder Jensen from Kaysville and Elder Callejas de Lima since Thursday. It has been a good time, they're studs!
Anyways, that was all I got for this week. I hope that you all have a good week. Dad and Kaden be safe in Chicago watching the Cardinals beat the Cubs ha ha! I hope you guys have fun. Have a good week everyone, I love you guys!
Con amor,
Elder Johnson
So first things first....this week I ate CUY (guinea pig) for the first time. I was pretty sketched because I only know those things as pets and next thing I know, I was eating one for dinner. It didn't taste bad, it was just hard for me to get over the fact that I was eating a guinea pig. I've eaten some pretty weird stuff here on my mission. The grossest thing I have eaten has got to be Relleno de Sangre. It looked like cut up sausage so I took a huge bite and to my surprise, after I ate it, they told me it was fried blood. It was DISGUSTING.
So, this week on Tuesday we got to go to the temple! It was so good to be at the temple. I won't ever forget the feeling I had as I walked on the temple grounds. The Spirit was so strong. However, we didn't get to do a session. One of the zone leaders recommend had expired so they left early in the morning so he could get an interview and the plan was to meet them at the temple. While we were waiting we were in the distribution center and when the ZL's got there, they didn't see anyone so they assumed we were already inside and went into the session. We ended up waiting for them to finish their session. We ended up not being able to go...it was too bad, but I was able to do other ordinances so it was still awesome, just not what I was expecting. I'm so thankful for the temple and for the spirit that is there.
So, on Thursday Elder Miller left to the offices and goes home tomorrow. I'm going to miss him, we were bros and I learned a lot from him. That being said, my new companion is Elder Choque from Arequipa, Peru. He just finished training an Elder from my group and will be the new district leader. He is going to be a G and we're going to get some work done here in La Florida. He will get here tomorrow so I'll send photos next week. I have been mobbin' with Elder Jensen from Kaysville and Elder Callejas de Lima since Thursday. It has been a good time, they're studs!
Anyways, that was all I got for this week. I hope that you all have a good week. Dad and Kaden be safe in Chicago watching the Cardinals beat the Cubs ha ha! I hope you guys have fun. Have a good week everyone, I love you guys!
 |
| Hermana, Elder Jensen and Elder Johnson |
Con amor,
Elder Johnson
Monday, June 13, 2016
We Were So Blessed
Buenas tardes mi familia y amigos! I'm so happy to hear from you. It's always so good to hear from everyone. Sounds like everyone is doing awesome. First off, I gotta give a birthday shout out to Kaden....one of my best friends. I'm so blessed to have brothers that I can call my best friends. Kaden, you have always been such a big example to me. The most humble, loving kid I have ever met. I hope you have a good day tomorrow. I'll be thinkin about you! Love you bro!
This week we were so blessed. We got 7 new investigators. Talk about prayers and fasting being answered. In my area, the work has been really slow so this is huge for us. Every single one reached out to us for us to share what we have with them. This one lesson we were having with an investigator was awesome. I learned a lot from this lesson. We were having a lesson with Hermana Tula and she said she was going to invite her uncle who was some kind of priest. He walked into the room and was acting like he was the stuff, he was really full of himself and wanted to just argue and prove things wrong. In this moment, I learned such a great lesson, that this is the work of the Lord. We don't argue and try to change people's minds that what we have is true, we know it's true and testify and leave the rest up to the Lord because this is His work. I'm so thankful that we can say with a surety that we know that our church is true. We are so blessed.
That being said, I'm so sad to hear what happened in the US. The world we live in is messed up. It's evil. It's not a coincidence to me that the church leaders have been telling us that the signs are clearer today than they have ever been in the history of the earth of the second coming. The time to prepare for the adversary and the ways of the world is now. We can't take these things lightly. Satan has so much control over people right now and we need to be spiritually ready. We need to rely on the foundation of this gospel that we have been blessed with. Everything the church has given us is to use and apply in our lives. It's not only for missionaries and those who are assigned to certain callings throughout the church. It's for YOU! I know that if we do the little things, we will be prepared. We will be able to withstand anything that life throws at us!
Anyways, I love you all so much. I'm so thankful to be a missionary and be a personal representative of my Savior. I testify that this is the work of the Lord. This is the true church. He lives. I know it.
Have a good week!
Elder Johnson
This week we were so blessed. We got 7 new investigators. Talk about prayers and fasting being answered. In my area, the work has been really slow so this is huge for us. Every single one reached out to us for us to share what we have with them. This one lesson we were having with an investigator was awesome. I learned a lot from this lesson. We were having a lesson with Hermana Tula and she said she was going to invite her uncle who was some kind of priest. He walked into the room and was acting like he was the stuff, he was really full of himself and wanted to just argue and prove things wrong. In this moment, I learned such a great lesson, that this is the work of the Lord. We don't argue and try to change people's minds that what we have is true, we know it's true and testify and leave the rest up to the Lord because this is His work. I'm so thankful that we can say with a surety that we know that our church is true. We are so blessed.
That being said, I'm so sad to hear what happened in the US. The world we live in is messed up. It's evil. It's not a coincidence to me that the church leaders have been telling us that the signs are clearer today than they have ever been in the history of the earth of the second coming. The time to prepare for the adversary and the ways of the world is now. We can't take these things lightly. Satan has so much control over people right now and we need to be spiritually ready. We need to rely on the foundation of this gospel that we have been blessed with. Everything the church has given us is to use and apply in our lives. It's not only for missionaries and those who are assigned to certain callings throughout the church. It's for YOU! I know that if we do the little things, we will be prepared. We will be able to withstand anything that life throws at us!
Anyways, I love you all so much. I'm so thankful to be a missionary and be a personal representative of my Savior. I testify that this is the work of the Lord. This is the true church. He lives. I know it.
Have a good week!
Elder Johnson
Monday, June 6, 2016
Time is Hauling!
Howdy Do! Good morning everyone! I hope everyone had a good week. Time is hauling by, I honestly feel like I'm here every day. Crazy! I'm loving my time here though, holy cow. We finally got a water heater this week so I don't have to do the ALS ice bucket challenge every morning now. That has been super nice because it gets so cold at night lately. The day time is always blazing hot and then at night it gets pretty cold, but it's all good.
Anyways for this week....the work has been pretty slow, we have been working really hard with the members trying to get them involved because they are essential in the work and we don't have much to work with. We are trying to get them involved so we can forward the work. We did have some pretty solid lessons with Wilson and Segundo. We talked about the Atonement with Wilson and the Spirit was so strong. I know he felt it as well. Segundo is a stud. We read the Book of Mormon with him and I think he is starting to come around! Pray for both of them. They are both ready, I know it.
Aside from the work, I want to share a scripture that I came across this week. It was very powerful to me. It is D y C 18:1-6. I invite you all to read this this week. I know that as we read the scriptures our testimonies and faith will be strengthened. I know it with all of my heart. We are so blessed to have testimonies in this corrupt world that we live in. I'm so thankful for this gospel and the ability it has to change us into the person that God knows we can be. We all have potential to be what he wants but it's up to us to act and exercise our faith. I love you guys so much! Have a good, safe week!
Elder Johnson
Anyways for this week....the work has been pretty slow, we have been working really hard with the members trying to get them involved because they are essential in the work and we don't have much to work with. We are trying to get them involved so we can forward the work. We did have some pretty solid lessons with Wilson and Segundo. We talked about the Atonement with Wilson and the Spirit was so strong. I know he felt it as well. Segundo is a stud. We read the Book of Mormon with him and I think he is starting to come around! Pray for both of them. They are both ready, I know it.
Aside from the work, I want to share a scripture that I came across this week. It was very powerful to me. It is D y C 18:1-6. I invite you all to read this this week. I know that as we read the scriptures our testimonies and faith will be strengthened. I know it with all of my heart. We are so blessed to have testimonies in this corrupt world that we live in. I'm so thankful for this gospel and the ability it has to change us into the person that God knows we can be. We all have potential to be what he wants but it's up to us to act and exercise our faith. I love you guys so much! Have a good, safe week!
Elder Johnson
Monday, May 30, 2016
I Love Being a Missionary
Como esta mi famlia y amigos!! I hope everyone had a good week. I had a pretty good week. I love being a missionary. I literally don't even know how to put it into words. The mission at times is very challenging, but it's also very rewarding and it's the best blessing.
As for the work, pretty slow. Our area has been super slow my whole time here. This week all of our appointments failed with our investigators, but we're hoping everything goes as planned this week. I'm confident. I think things will go up from here. Sunday was Fast Sunday and one of the menos activos who we have been working with got up and bore his testimony. The spirit was so strong. His name is Edwin and he has some Word of Wisdom problems and he's getting everything back together. We've been working with him ever since I got to Chimbote and he's changing so much. For his job, he sells bread on the corner and he brings his speaker out and just blasts church music ha ha. He's a G. It was good to see him. I'm confident he will keep progressing.
Anyways, today I finished the Book of Mormon for the first time since I have been on the mission. I testify that this book is true. I know that if we read with real intent, the truth will be made known unto us. We have been promised that. I'm so thankful we have the truth. I love being a missionary. I love it more than anything. I love being able to testify every single day of my Savior. I'm here because I love my Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ and because I have been blessed to know what I know and to have what I have, I will go where He wants me to go. I love this church. I testify that this is the way to have true happiness and if you're at a low spot in life, the Savior has been there and He can lift you up and you can have everything that He has to offer. You're never too late or too far away. I testify of this challenge everyone to read with real intent and be willing to change. I love you guys! Have a good week!
Con amor,
Elder Johnson
As for the work, pretty slow. Our area has been super slow my whole time here. This week all of our appointments failed with our investigators, but we're hoping everything goes as planned this week. I'm confident. I think things will go up from here. Sunday was Fast Sunday and one of the menos activos who we have been working with got up and bore his testimony. The spirit was so strong. His name is Edwin and he has some Word of Wisdom problems and he's getting everything back together. We've been working with him ever since I got to Chimbote and he's changing so much. For his job, he sells bread on the corner and he brings his speaker out and just blasts church music ha ha. He's a G. It was good to see him. I'm confident he will keep progressing.
Anyways, today I finished the Book of Mormon for the first time since I have been on the mission. I testify that this book is true. I know that if we read with real intent, the truth will be made known unto us. We have been promised that. I'm so thankful we have the truth. I love being a missionary. I love it more than anything. I love being able to testify every single day of my Savior. I'm here because I love my Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ and because I have been blessed to know what I know and to have what I have, I will go where He wants me to go. I love this church. I testify that this is the way to have true happiness and if you're at a low spot in life, the Savior has been there and He can lift you up and you can have everything that He has to offer. You're never too late or too far away. I testify of this challenge everyone to read with real intent and be willing to change. I love you guys! Have a good week!
Con amor,
Elder Johnson
Monday, May 23, 2016
I'm Grateful for My Testimony
Hola familia y amigos! This week went so fast! I feel like I am emailing you guys every single day!! I'm so thankful for the opportunity I have to tell you about my experience. There isn't anything like the mission. So many really difficult times and also some awesome experiences that help build your testimony. That is what I want to talk to you about today. Testimony and how lucky you are to have what you have.
This week was a pretty slow week in the work. We are trying to work a lot with the members and get them involved. It is a process, but I know that it's what the Lord wants us to do right now. Our area hasn't seen a baptism in over 6 months, so we are trying to make some changes. This is what we feel we need to do. In the lessons that we have had with investigators I have really got thinking about my testimony and how grateful I am for it.
I listened to the talk this week called, Keep the Commandments, I believe by President Monson. It's when he announced the new apostles. I want to invite all of you guys to read or listen to that talk. It strengthened my testimony this week. I know that it will do the same to yours. I know right now that this world is jacked up, it is confused and like my dad told me today--the signs are clearer now than they have ever been that these are the last days. I challenge you guys to do your part. Do a little more. I know that a testimony is necessary to have. We have what everyone is looking for.
I know this church is true. I know it with everything that I have. I'm so thankful for this opportunity I have to represent Jesus Christ, my family and my friends. I'm thankful for the opportunity I have to testify every single day. I know that when we do the little things, our testimonies are strengthed. This is my invitation , do a little more. Pray and read everyday and I know you will be blessed. I love you all and hope you all have a good week!
Love,
Elder Johnson
This week was a pretty slow week in the work. We are trying to work a lot with the members and get them involved. It is a process, but I know that it's what the Lord wants us to do right now. Our area hasn't seen a baptism in over 6 months, so we are trying to make some changes. This is what we feel we need to do. In the lessons that we have had with investigators I have really got thinking about my testimony and how grateful I am for it.
I listened to the talk this week called, Keep the Commandments, I believe by President Monson. It's when he announced the new apostles. I want to invite all of you guys to read or listen to that talk. It strengthened my testimony this week. I know that it will do the same to yours. I know right now that this world is jacked up, it is confused and like my dad told me today--the signs are clearer now than they have ever been that these are the last days. I challenge you guys to do your part. Do a little more. I know that a testimony is necessary to have. We have what everyone is looking for.
I know this church is true. I know it with everything that I have. I'm so thankful for this opportunity I have to represent Jesus Christ, my family and my friends. I'm thankful for the opportunity I have to testify every single day. I know that when we do the little things, our testimonies are strengthed. This is my invitation , do a little more. Pray and read everyday and I know you will be blessed. I love you all and hope you all have a good week!
 |
| This is a picture of a family when I was in the Lima Airport. My ticket worked and I went through the gate, but Elder Martinez' didn't so he had to go get a new one. There is power in companionships. I immediately said a prayer because I couldn't go back through the gate. He was gone for 15 minutes while I was waiting alone. He came back with a member family and a priesthood holder. Pretty awesome. Proof prayers are answered! |
Love,
Elder Johnson
Monday, May 16, 2016
I Was Sketched Out!
Hola, como estan todos?! I hope everyone is doing good. First things first. Happy Birthday, Dad! I hope you had a good day. Just want to let you know that I love you and I'm so thankful for the example you are to me in my life! Kaden, you are a legend!! hahahaha (Kaden took Tanner's girlfriend, Mariah, to the Senior Ball on Saturday!)
So, for the work. We had some pretty solid lessons this week. We have a new investigator, his name is Segundo. He is a G! We taught him the restauracion and then on Saturday, we taught him about the Book of Mormon. The spirit was so strong in both of the lessons and I know he felt it! We have a lesson with him tomorrow so hopefully things will progress. Other than that, it was pretty slow. Elder Miller and I were trying to figure out what our area needs because it hasn't seen a baptism in ages...so we're going to start from scratch. We decided we are going to start working with the members and get them more involved. The members are key! That's something that I have always taken lightly, but I know by doing this we will be able to forward the word.
Now....about those pictures I sent this morning. On Friday night, our pension, her husband was outside looking at the moon. He was telling us about these stars that were circling the moon and was saying that's what it looked like before the big earthquake in Ecuador recently. He also said that happened in like four other earthquakes. Anyways, after he told us that, I was sketched out!! We live in a tall building on the fourth floor so I was so sketched to go back to our room!! Anyways, we got in our room and then we got a phone call from Alfonso. He said we were supposed to have a temblor! During the phone call, our room just started shaking! I was sooooo sketched, ha ha, I got a backpack with my important stuff and just ran down the stairs as fast as I could.....anyways, if you look at the pictures I sent, you can see the stars are in different positions. So, I am going to be paranoid all week! Hopefully nothing happens, but if it does....the Lord protects His missionaries! I'm not worried.
Anyways, I hope you guys have a good week! I pray for you every day! I challenge all of you to do a little more this week. Say your prayers and read your scriptures. You will be blessed. It's as simple as that! I love you guys!!
Elder Johnson
So, for the work. We had some pretty solid lessons this week. We have a new investigator, his name is Segundo. He is a G! We taught him the restauracion and then on Saturday, we taught him about the Book of Mormon. The spirit was so strong in both of the lessons and I know he felt it! We have a lesson with him tomorrow so hopefully things will progress. Other than that, it was pretty slow. Elder Miller and I were trying to figure out what our area needs because it hasn't seen a baptism in ages...so we're going to start from scratch. We decided we are going to start working with the members and get them more involved. The members are key! That's something that I have always taken lightly, but I know by doing this we will be able to forward the word.
Now....about those pictures I sent this morning. On Friday night, our pension, her husband was outside looking at the moon. He was telling us about these stars that were circling the moon and was saying that's what it looked like before the big earthquake in Ecuador recently. He also said that happened in like four other earthquakes. Anyways, after he told us that, I was sketched out!! We live in a tall building on the fourth floor so I was so sketched to go back to our room!! Anyways, we got in our room and then we got a phone call from Alfonso. He said we were supposed to have a temblor! During the phone call, our room just started shaking! I was sooooo sketched, ha ha, I got a backpack with my important stuff and just ran down the stairs as fast as I could.....anyways, if you look at the pictures I sent, you can see the stars are in different positions. So, I am going to be paranoid all week! Hopefully nothing happens, but if it does....the Lord protects His missionaries! I'm not worried.
 |
| We aren't sure when this picture was taken--we found it on the mission blog! He sure looks happy! |
Elder Johnson
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)