Sunday, June 23, 2013 8:19 pm
Dear Family and Friends,
Can you believe I've already been in the field for a month?!?! I can't. It hasn't felt like I have been gone that long. So crazy. The days and weeks already are going by so fast. Wow. Anyway, this week has been amazing! Miracles!
So at the beginning of the week we started of with 0 investigators. All we were doing was contacting and meeting with less-actives. But this week the Lord has blessed us with miracles. Nearly everyday we contacted someone who wanted to learn. As of right now we have 9 investigators!!! 9 new investigators in a week!!! SO COOL!!!
The Lord is hastening his work. He has called us to serve him and we are reaping the already white fields of harvest. Probably my favorite lesson we gave this week was to two Oms (about 70 year old couple). The live SO far away though and we have to book it home to get home on time. But our first lesson with them was so cool. We taught them in their tiny 1 room home about 12 ft x 12 ft. Also we taught by candlelight! It was so cozy and cool!!! Haha.
One of my favorite investigators is Ming Pou (a 40ish year old lady). She is super energetic and sarcastic but also she wants to learn. We randomly stumbled by her and her neighbors and she called us over and said that she wants to hear what we teach. Whoa! We never get that. Haha she is so cool. We then returned and there were like 10 or 15 people there who, though may not have been all apart of the lesson, knows who we are and what we do. Pou really likes us...probably because we're white.
Oh, some info about Cambodians... They loooove white skin. They think it is so attractive. And what is even more than that is pointy noses. AGH!!!! I should NOT be here because I have already been asked to be in a relationship/get married/if I'm going to marry a Khmae girl like 5 times this week!!! Everyone comments about our noses and calls us beautiful...it is really weird.
Anyway, Pou is awesome and she is so enthusiastic about our message too :). It is really cool.
I am so excited for this week and the adventures it will bring. May God be with you all.
Love,
Elder Johnson
Monday, July 1, 2013
Week 12- Week 4 Cambodia: Land of the Broken Bicycles and RAIN!!!
Sun, Jun 16, 2013 at 9:19 pm
Dear Peoples Halfway Around the World!!!
Boy I say boy, fixing bikes is pushing the limits of my medication!!! (that's for you Tom :D). Anyways, I have come to find out that each week in Cambodia is very different from the last. Each day is an adventure, whether it is getting soaked in the rain, talking to drunk people, or just singing Disney music with your roommates at night.
The beginning of the week was very contrasted to the end. The beginning we contacted a ton of people. We talked to nearly everyone we passed it felt like and we tried sooooo hard to get someone to teach. We had several return appointments with people and even with our first referral. Unfortunately, each and every contact and appointment fell through. It was kind of discouraging but we just say that tomorrow will be better. We have had more success with our less actives though. By success I mean that we actually meet with them. None of them have come to church yet but we are always inviting and trying to strengthen their faith.
The end of the week we had a ton of meetings that we went to so we had literally no contacting time. In our area we are across a pretty big bridge, away from the main part of the city. Our church, and where all of our meetings are held, are on the other side of the bridge. It takes about 20 minutes to bike to the church. 10-15 minutes if we book it fast. I have come to realize that this bridge is a literal obstacle in the work of our area. People just don't want to come to church when they realize how far away it is and that they have to cross the bridge. Haha it is sometimes an obstacle for me and Elder Noot too. Sometimes we know we have to cross it and we are just anticipating it. Haha. It is so tiring sometimes but it is also kinda fun to race motos on a bike.
One cool thing is our Mission President!!! He had a personal meeting with us and we talked about our area and how to contact all the inactive members and get them to return. We have a lot more people than we thought. We are working to get a branch in our area!!! After the meeting it was pouring rain outside and President rode bikes with us to a pizza place and bought us pizza!!! :D YUM!!!
That really sums up a lot of our week. Some fun things that happened was while contacting and stopping at a bakery we got to talk to a monk. He was super interested in us and asked a lot of questions. Right before we left we actually got a picture with him!!! Haha it was awesome. Another day we contacted through a huge storm :D. We were walking in water halfway up the calves and it was so much fun!!! Hahaha. It has rained everyday since. In some places there are little rivers because of how much rain there is!
Finally, after all this time riding our bikes it has taken a toll on them. I have a brand new chain and Elder Noot has a brand new tire and brand new pedals. Hahaha. We spent so much money on fixing our bikes this week hahaha. Well I guess it is a sign of working hard :).
Until next week, stay strong and keep the faith. Even when no one wants to hear our message we keep pushing forward and keep our heads held high. I know that angels are with us watching our backs and lifting us higher and higher. This is the true church and I know that Jesus Christ leads the church. I love him and I know that he lives. I love you all and may God be with you.
Love,
Elder Johnson
Dear Peoples Halfway Around the World!!!
Boy I say boy, fixing bikes is pushing the limits of my medication!!! (that's for you Tom :D). Anyways, I have come to find out that each week in Cambodia is very different from the last. Each day is an adventure, whether it is getting soaked in the rain, talking to drunk people, or just singing Disney music with your roommates at night.
The beginning of the week was very contrasted to the end. The beginning we contacted a ton of people. We talked to nearly everyone we passed it felt like and we tried sooooo hard to get someone to teach. We had several return appointments with people and even with our first referral. Unfortunately, each and every contact and appointment fell through. It was kind of discouraging but we just say that tomorrow will be better. We have had more success with our less actives though. By success I mean that we actually meet with them. None of them have come to church yet but we are always inviting and trying to strengthen their faith.
The end of the week we had a ton of meetings that we went to so we had literally no contacting time. In our area we are across a pretty big bridge, away from the main part of the city. Our church, and where all of our meetings are held, are on the other side of the bridge. It takes about 20 minutes to bike to the church. 10-15 minutes if we book it fast. I have come to realize that this bridge is a literal obstacle in the work of our area. People just don't want to come to church when they realize how far away it is and that they have to cross the bridge. Haha it is sometimes an obstacle for me and Elder Noot too. Sometimes we know we have to cross it and we are just anticipating it. Haha. It is so tiring sometimes but it is also kinda fun to race motos on a bike.
One cool thing is our Mission President!!! He had a personal meeting with us and we talked about our area and how to contact all the inactive members and get them to return. We have a lot more people than we thought. We are working to get a branch in our area!!! After the meeting it was pouring rain outside and President rode bikes with us to a pizza place and bought us pizza!!! :D YUM!!!
That really sums up a lot of our week. Some fun things that happened was while contacting and stopping at a bakery we got to talk to a monk. He was super interested in us and asked a lot of questions. Right before we left we actually got a picture with him!!! Haha it was awesome. Another day we contacted through a huge storm :D. We were walking in water halfway up the calves and it was so much fun!!! Hahaha. It has rained everyday since. In some places there are little rivers because of how much rain there is!
Finally, after all this time riding our bikes it has taken a toll on them. I have a brand new chain and Elder Noot has a brand new tire and brand new pedals. Hahaha. We spent so much money on fixing our bikes this week hahaha. Well I guess it is a sign of working hard :).
Until next week, stay strong and keep the faith. Even when no one wants to hear our message we keep pushing forward and keep our heads held high. I know that angels are with us watching our backs and lifting us higher and higher. This is the true church and I know that Jesus Christ leads the church. I love him and I know that he lives. I love you all and may God be with you.
Love,
Elder Johnson
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| You can tell by Elder Noot's face the little boy doesn't want to let us in :D |
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| An awesome old blacksmith we met while contacting. He reminds me of Grandpa Johnson :) |
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| A picture that Elder Noot took of me contacting a guy |
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| Elder Noot and me with our helmets and our surgical masks so we don't die by the car fumes. :D |
Week 11-- Week 3 Cambodia: Land of the Crazy Children
Sun, Jun 9, 2013 at 8:39 pm
Yes people, Cambodia has crazy children. I will talk more about that later. Anyways, this week has been full of adventures if not investigators.
So last week we did a couple fun service projects for members in the branch. The first one was just on the spot. We went to go visit them and the Lookpuu (older man about 50+) was out in front of his house pounding his dirt flat because it had just rained and he was smoothing his "drive way." So being us missionaries we started helping him pound dirt. It was really cool because next door a monk was visiting his family. They were watching us and all of a sudden the monk came over and started talking to us!!! In English too!!!!. Hahaha. It was so cool to talk to him. He was really nice and humble and we invited him to English class... at the church :D. He didn't show up but that is ok haha. BUT something cool is he looks like an Air Bender Nomad off of Avatar!!! The robes are so legit...I'm gonna get some :D.
We also were able to teach some lessons to less-actives. Unfortunately we found out one drinks a little. He thinks the Word of Wisdom says that it is ok to drink as long as you don't get drunk. We are working with him though. He is so kind and nice. Also, we taught him the Restoration again! I said the whole 1st Vision in Khmer and it was really cool. I was rusty but the Spirit was definitely there.
This week we made Curry!!!! I LOVE curry. So much. Mmmmm!!! It had pork and potatoes and carrots and awesome flavor! Yum. We made a ton...but it only lasted 3 days. Haha. We have eaten good food this week. Lots of new foods plus one cheeseburger and fries :). Haha it was so good.
One night this week we woke up to Elder Barker saying he saw a mouse. We were chasing it all around the room. Elder Vu (he is Vietnamese) didn't wake up though. He didn't even budge :D. Haha but we finally caught it when it crawled into a plastic bag. We took it outside and killed it...yeah I know we are horrible but we had to. Anyway, you think that would be over with right? Nope! Elder Noot and I found another one in our room during the next day. We chased it around and...He killed it with my flip flop. MY FLIP FLOP!!!..... I just washed it with lots of soap. Haha. Now there are no mice in our room... I think.
Everyday Elder Noot and I try to meet with less-actives. We usually have one a day. So we spend about an hour a day teaching less-active members and then we spend the rest of the day contacting and tracting. The members haven't given us any referrals yet so that's all we've been doing. We are giving out so many pamphlets that someone HAS to want to learn. Well it is sometimes discouraging but we always are working hard. I do love the work though.
Also, this week we helped another member. We weeded!!! I thought I was done with that for 2 years...I was wrong :D haha. It was really quite enjoyable.
Some quick notes:
1. I am taller than the average Cambodian :D!!!!!
2. I am getting tan!!!! I look good too haha.
3. Dad, can you tell grandma and grandpa that I randomly met Bun Thoeun at the church. I will have to meet him again to give him grandpa's letter but yeah. It was weird. (Bun Thoen was my grandparents' driver when they served their mission here in Cambodia 10 years ago.)
Lastly, the little children. Everywhere we go the little children are saying "Hello"and in some places they literally mob us. They try to get rides on our bikes haha. The children next door (yes...we have children next door) became zombie children as it was dusk and we were sitting in our living room and they started pounding on the door trying to get in kinda haha. Kinda creepy. Anyway, children here are crazy. Probably because parents give them Samurai drinks (energy drinks). Bad idea. haha.
Well we are working hard. Hope you are all safe at home. Love and miss you all.
Love,
Elder Johnson
Yes people, Cambodia has crazy children. I will talk more about that later. Anyways, this week has been full of adventures if not investigators.
So last week we did a couple fun service projects for members in the branch. The first one was just on the spot. We went to go visit them and the Lookpuu (older man about 50+) was out in front of his house pounding his dirt flat because it had just rained and he was smoothing his "drive way." So being us missionaries we started helping him pound dirt. It was really cool because next door a monk was visiting his family. They were watching us and all of a sudden the monk came over and started talking to us!!! In English too!!!!. Hahaha. It was so cool to talk to him. He was really nice and humble and we invited him to English class... at the church :D. He didn't show up but that is ok haha. BUT something cool is he looks like an Air Bender Nomad off of Avatar!!! The robes are so legit...I'm gonna get some :D.
We also were able to teach some lessons to less-actives. Unfortunately we found out one drinks a little. He thinks the Word of Wisdom says that it is ok to drink as long as you don't get drunk. We are working with him though. He is so kind and nice. Also, we taught him the Restoration again! I said the whole 1st Vision in Khmer and it was really cool. I was rusty but the Spirit was definitely there.
This week we made Curry!!!! I LOVE curry. So much. Mmmmm!!! It had pork and potatoes and carrots and awesome flavor! Yum. We made a ton...but it only lasted 3 days. Haha. We have eaten good food this week. Lots of new foods plus one cheeseburger and fries :). Haha it was so good.
One night this week we woke up to Elder Barker saying he saw a mouse. We were chasing it all around the room. Elder Vu (he is Vietnamese) didn't wake up though. He didn't even budge :D. Haha but we finally caught it when it crawled into a plastic bag. We took it outside and killed it...yeah I know we are horrible but we had to. Anyway, you think that would be over with right? Nope! Elder Noot and I found another one in our room during the next day. We chased it around and...He killed it with my flip flop. MY FLIP FLOP!!!..... I just washed it with lots of soap. Haha. Now there are no mice in our room... I think.
Everyday Elder Noot and I try to meet with less-actives. We usually have one a day. So we spend about an hour a day teaching less-active members and then we spend the rest of the day contacting and tracting. The members haven't given us any referrals yet so that's all we've been doing. We are giving out so many pamphlets that someone HAS to want to learn. Well it is sometimes discouraging but we always are working hard. I do love the work though.
Also, this week we helped another member. We weeded!!! I thought I was done with that for 2 years...I was wrong :D haha. It was really quite enjoyable.
Some quick notes:
1. I am taller than the average Cambodian :D!!!!!
2. I am getting tan!!!! I look good too haha.
3. Dad, can you tell grandma and grandpa that I randomly met Bun Thoeun at the church. I will have to meet him again to give him grandpa's letter but yeah. It was weird. (Bun Thoen was my grandparents' driver when they served their mission here in Cambodia 10 years ago.)
Lastly, the little children. Everywhere we go the little children are saying "Hello"and in some places they literally mob us. They try to get rides on our bikes haha. The children next door (yes...we have children next door) became zombie children as it was dusk and we were sitting in our living room and they started pounding on the door trying to get in kinda haha. Kinda creepy. Anyway, children here are crazy. Probably because parents give them Samurai drinks (energy drinks). Bad idea. haha.
Well we are working hard. Hope you are all safe at home. Love and miss you all.
Love,
Elder Johnson
Week 10/Week 2 Cambodia!!!!
Sunday, June 2, 2013 9:27 pm
Where to start? Hmm so much to talk about. Haha well this week has been amazing! I love Cambodia! So my trainer, Elder Noot, is the best trainer I could have asked for. Getting to know him has been like getting to know myself! We love all the same things and it is really weird at how well we get along :). He is from Pleasant Grove, UT and went to BYU Hawaii for college. He has been in the field for about 8 months now. He is the youngest trainer currently and is a stud :). He is half Korean and loves having fun with me. One thing we do is play Chinese Chess! We have two chess boards so that us and our Vietnamese speaking Elders (roommates) can all play together. We play it while eating lunch or dinner or after we return to the apartment at nights. It is so much fun. Tom, you would loooove this game. Reminds me of our chess, stratego, go moments :).
Last P-Day after emailing we went shopping at a market then at a convenience store. I got some sunglasses (FINALLY!!!), a kromaa (spelling?) (a cool thing that I use to wipe my sweat and dry my clothes, and hold my super cold water bottle when it is frozen), and we bought a lot of food. Some food we got: cereal and milk, PB + J sandwiches, and NUTELLA!!!!! They have it here! I totally have been eating American food this week :D. Haha.
You all might be thinking if we do any missionary work. We do a lot actually. We have no investigators still. We have been out contacting a lot though and have talked to countless numbers of people. They just don't ever answer their phones out here :P. The most common excuse they have is that they are too busy. I hear that about every other person we talk to. Haha. We do a lot of CBR book hunting. Which is we are trying to meet every member (active and less active) in our area. We then try to teach the less actives. We have met twice with Bong Khoon. He is less active and is a moto-dope (likes motobikes). But He absolutely loves the scriptures. We are working with him to return to church. I think he might soon. We also have met Jumbo...yeah that's what we were told to call him. He is an English teacher...kinda. We taught him in English haha. I still didn't understand everything. Jumbo...is the most worldly person I have ever met. Let's just say that he likes money and has friends in high places..... Yeah it was an awkward meeting.
Yesterday it rained for the first time that I had to ride in :) really hard too. BUT I had my awesome raincoat from Mr. Mac's!!! Yeah! I was dry while my comp was soaked hahaha but It was so nice to feel rain on my face.
The Spirit is so amazing. I can feel it when I bear my testimony and teach the truths of the gospel. I know that this church is true. I know Joseph Smith was called of God to restore the church. I know Jesus Lives. I testify this to be true. I love this mission and I know I have been called here by the Lord.
May God be with you until next time.
Love,
Elder Johnson
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Where to start? Hmm so much to talk about. Haha well this week has been amazing! I love Cambodia! So my trainer, Elder Noot, is the best trainer I could have asked for. Getting to know him has been like getting to know myself! We love all the same things and it is really weird at how well we get along :). He is from Pleasant Grove, UT and went to BYU Hawaii for college. He has been in the field for about 8 months now. He is the youngest trainer currently and is a stud :). He is half Korean and loves having fun with me. One thing we do is play Chinese Chess! We have two chess boards so that us and our Vietnamese speaking Elders (roommates) can all play together. We play it while eating lunch or dinner or after we return to the apartment at nights. It is so much fun. Tom, you would loooove this game. Reminds me of our chess, stratego, go moments :).
Last P-Day after emailing we went shopping at a market then at a convenience store. I got some sunglasses (FINALLY!!!), a kromaa (spelling?) (a cool thing that I use to wipe my sweat and dry my clothes, and hold my super cold water bottle when it is frozen), and we bought a lot of food. Some food we got: cereal and milk, PB + J sandwiches, and NUTELLA!!!!! They have it here! I totally have been eating American food this week :D. Haha.
You all might be thinking if we do any missionary work. We do a lot actually. We have no investigators still. We have been out contacting a lot though and have talked to countless numbers of people. They just don't ever answer their phones out here :P. The most common excuse they have is that they are too busy. I hear that about every other person we talk to. Haha. We do a lot of CBR book hunting. Which is we are trying to meet every member (active and less active) in our area. We then try to teach the less actives. We have met twice with Bong Khoon. He is less active and is a moto-dope (likes motobikes). But He absolutely loves the scriptures. We are working with him to return to church. I think he might soon. We also have met Jumbo...yeah that's what we were told to call him. He is an English teacher...kinda. We taught him in English haha. I still didn't understand everything. Jumbo...is the most worldly person I have ever met. Let's just say that he likes money and has friends in high places..... Yeah it was an awkward meeting.
Yesterday it rained for the first time that I had to ride in :) really hard too. BUT I had my awesome raincoat from Mr. Mac's!!! Yeah! I was dry while my comp was soaked hahaha but It was so nice to feel rain on my face.
The Spirit is so amazing. I can feel it when I bear my testimony and teach the truths of the gospel. I know that this church is true. I know Joseph Smith was called of God to restore the church. I know Jesus Lives. I testify this to be true. I love this mission and I know I have been called here by the Lord.
May God be with you until next time.
Love,
Elder Johnson
Me hugging a ginormous tree
Me with a huge Watt (Buddhist temple building)
Elder Barker on the right and Elder Vu on left
(Vietnamese speaking)
Me and Elder Noot
Our house from the street
With Elder Spencer Lee
A Tuk-tuk
Me eating cereal while playing Chinese Chess :D
Week 9/Week 1 in Cambodia
Received email: Monday May 27, 2013 at 1:03 am
May 26, 2013
CAMBODIA!!! Dirty, smelly, chaotic, no traffic laws, happy people, motorbikes with 6 people on them... I love it. It is super crazy here but so fun. Cambodia may be really old and dirty but it is homey sometimes.
So my trainer, Elder Noot (note), is super cool. He is super chill and a hard worker and we get along so well. We currently are starting a new area. We are doing what is called "whitewashing". We have no investigators. We are trying to get to know the members and to meet the inactive members. I love it because it is like starting a mission. My area is Chamkamorn, it is Phnom Penh but closer to the outskirts. It is in the south east. There is a huge bridge from the main part of the city and our area is just over it.
The language is really hard but I actually am already catching on to a little bit. We have been contacting so my trainer is making me do a lot of it. It has helped a lot. Also, i love ALL of the food here that I have eaten so far. The fruit here is 10x better than in America. And their stir fries are delicious. I love having rice for breakfast.
I forgot to mention that it is super hot. I am always covered in sweat and it is so funny how much I sweat at times. Haha. But I love it. I love our Mission President, President Moon. He is so nice, funny, and spiritual. Just amazing.
Cambodians are either the best or worst drivers. There is not traffic laws whatever but I haven't seen a crash yet. So fun and crazy to navigate through traffic. I love riding on tuk-tuks. They are so fun.
Something cool. On Saturday we had the opportunity to give a less active member a blessing. I anointed the oil and my companion gave the blessing. Already giving blessings. It is awesome.
The branch is small but really cool and strong. We hope to strengthen it.
Cambodia is so cool. It is so fun. I love it. I love the people. Elder Noot loves adventures. And there are plenty here. I love them. "Adventures are out there!"
I love you all and thank you for your prayers. May God bless you.
Love,
Elder Johnson
May 26, 2013
CAMBODIA!!! Dirty, smelly, chaotic, no traffic laws, happy people, motorbikes with 6 people on them... I love it. It is super crazy here but so fun. Cambodia may be really old and dirty but it is homey sometimes.
So my trainer, Elder Noot (note), is super cool. He is super chill and a hard worker and we get along so well. We currently are starting a new area. We are doing what is called "whitewashing". We have no investigators. We are trying to get to know the members and to meet the inactive members. I love it because it is like starting a mission. My area is Chamkamorn, it is Phnom Penh but closer to the outskirts. It is in the south east. There is a huge bridge from the main part of the city and our area is just over it.
The language is really hard but I actually am already catching on to a little bit. We have been contacting so my trainer is making me do a lot of it. It has helped a lot. Also, i love ALL of the food here that I have eaten so far. The fruit here is 10x better than in America. And their stir fries are delicious. I love having rice for breakfast.
I forgot to mention that it is super hot. I am always covered in sweat and it is so funny how much I sweat at times. Haha. But I love it. I love our Mission President, President Moon. He is so nice, funny, and spiritual. Just amazing.
Cambodians are either the best or worst drivers. There is not traffic laws whatever but I haven't seen a crash yet. So fun and crazy to navigate through traffic. I love riding on tuk-tuks. They are so fun.
Something cool. On Saturday we had the opportunity to give a less active member a blessing. I anointed the oil and my companion gave the blessing. Already giving blessings. It is awesome.
The branch is small but really cool and strong. We hope to strengthen it.
Cambodia is so cool. It is so fun. I love it. I love the people. Elder Noot loves adventures. And there are plenty here. I love them. "Adventures are out there!"
I love you all and thank you for your prayers. May God bless you.
Love,
Elder Johnson
Week 8- Made it!!!
Thursday, May 23, 2013 12:12 am
After more than 30 hours of travel and some delays we made it to Cambodia!!! It is super hot and humid and crazy drivers but I am safe. I am so excited to get to work. I love you so much. I will write you soon. Lots of loves.
Love,
Elder Johnson
After more than 30 hours of travel and some delays we made it to Cambodia!!! It is super hot and humid and crazy drivers but I am safe. I am so excited to get to work. I love you so much. I will write you soon. Lots of loves.
Love,
Elder Johnson
Week 8 FINAL WEEK!!!!
Wednesday, May 15, 2013 9:57 am
Dear Family and Friends,
Thank you first of all everyone again for the love, support, letters, candy, and caring for my family that you all have given me. I love you all so much.
So I officially leave in 6 days!!!!!! I can't believe that in 8 days I will be in Cambodia teaching, tracting, and testifying. It is so nerveracking and exciting all at once. I will be flying first to LA then to Hong Kong and finally to Cambodia!!! It is so exciting. May 22nd doesn't even exist for me but for only an hour because of the time change. Haha it is funny to me :).
This week was fun and amazing. I got to see a couple of my best friends here. I saw Sister Michaelah Thompson who is going to the Houston South mission and I saw Elder Wilson Hulme who is going to the Mexico City mission. It really was so much fun to see them. They both just got in like a week or two ago. I know they and all my other friends that I have seen will be great missionaries.
Me at the Provo Temple
Dear Family and Friends,
Thank you first of all everyone again for the love, support, letters, candy, and caring for my family that you all have given me. I love you all so much.
So I officially leave in 6 days!!!!!! I can't believe that in 8 days I will be in Cambodia teaching, tracting, and testifying. It is so nerveracking and exciting all at once. I will be flying first to LA then to Hong Kong and finally to Cambodia!!! It is so exciting. May 22nd doesn't even exist for me but for only an hour because of the time change. Haha it is funny to me :).
This week was fun and amazing. I got to see a couple of my best friends here. I saw Sister Michaelah Thompson who is going to the Houston South mission and I saw Elder Wilson Hulme who is going to the Mexico City mission. It really was so much fun to see them. They both just got in like a week or two ago. I know they and all my other friends that I have seen will be great missionaries.
I have learned so much this week and have been spiritually fed so much. Something one of my teachers said was to stay focused on the present. Satan will do anything to make us think about the past or future, but the present is where we actually make a difference. We serve others and do good in the present. So stay focused. Another thing that I learned is that God's standards for us get higher as we improve. We have to constantly strive to do better than ever because Heavenly Father wants us to be the best that we can become. I know that the First Vision has power. The Adversary will do anything to interrupt the First Vision. It has so much power and instantly brings the Spirit. I LOVE it. Plus it sounds really cool in Cambodian :D.
Sundays really have been the best days because it is ice cream day, Temple walk day, and watch awesome talks by the Apostles. I watched Jeffrey R. Holland. I LOVE it. He said that as a missionary we are similar to an apostle. He called us apostles with lower case "a" while he is an Apostle with an uppercase "A." He had some wonderful quotes. "Don't miss it" when talking about the mission and serving with all that you can. He reminded me of Aunt Karen's quote "Serve with no Regrets." (or "Have No Regrets" I forget the phrasing :P). Elder Holland also said that we must make "His work and His glory" become "[my] work and [my] glory" too. Not that we take the glory or anything like that. Only in that we want to do exactly what the Father wants done. I try to gain the vision that Heavenly Father has for missionary work everyday.
One of the coolest parts of the week was listening to Elder Russell M. Nelson come to speak to us on Tuesday, yesterday. He was amazing and his wife was awesome. Something his wife said was "We can ask for Angels to be with us; by name sometimes or even by attribute." That is SO COOL. Because I know that angels are with us all the time. But we can ask for their help! They talked a lot about how the people on the other side of the veil all want to help us and are helping us and praying for us to succeed. Somethign thtat Elder Nelson said was "We Follow Jesus Christ." He said to use that to answer the question why we are here. Whether on the earth or on a mission that is why we are here because we Follow Jesus Christ. I loved it.
So, as my stay in the MTC winds up I realized how amazing it was. I have grown so much and have learned a new language. I have made amazing friends and had spiritual experiences. I have had fun and have sang for two Apostles. I think it has been so good to be here and I almost hate to leave but I know I am so excited to be out in the field. So I think this is my last email until the field. I love you all and I want you all to know that I have a firm testimony of Jesus Christ, the Prophet Joseph Smith, and the Book of Mormon. I love them all so much. May God be with you all.
Love,
Elder Johnson
Sundays really have been the best days because it is ice cream day, Temple walk day, and watch awesome talks by the Apostles. I watched Jeffrey R. Holland. I LOVE it. He said that as a missionary we are similar to an apostle. He called us apostles with lower case "a" while he is an Apostle with an uppercase "A." He had some wonderful quotes. "Don't miss it" when talking about the mission and serving with all that you can. He reminded me of Aunt Karen's quote "Serve with no Regrets." (or "Have No Regrets" I forget the phrasing :P). Elder Holland also said that we must make "His work and His glory" become "[my] work and [my] glory" too. Not that we take the glory or anything like that. Only in that we want to do exactly what the Father wants done. I try to gain the vision that Heavenly Father has for missionary work everyday.
One of the coolest parts of the week was listening to Elder Russell M. Nelson come to speak to us on Tuesday, yesterday. He was amazing and his wife was awesome. Something his wife said was "We can ask for Angels to be with us; by name sometimes or even by attribute." That is SO COOL. Because I know that angels are with us all the time. But we can ask for their help! They talked a lot about how the people on the other side of the veil all want to help us and are helping us and praying for us to succeed. Somethign thtat Elder Nelson said was "We Follow Jesus Christ." He said to use that to answer the question why we are here. Whether on the earth or on a mission that is why we are here because we Follow Jesus Christ. I loved it.
So, as my stay in the MTC winds up I realized how amazing it was. I have grown so much and have learned a new language. I have made amazing friends and had spiritual experiences. I have had fun and have sang for two Apostles. I think it has been so good to be here and I almost hate to leave but I know I am so excited to be out in the field. So I think this is my last email until the field. I love you all and I want you all to know that I have a firm testimony of Jesus Christ, the Prophet Joseph Smith, and the Book of Mormon. I love them all so much. May God be with you all.
Love,
Elder Johnson
Love you lots Mom
A scripture I love- 3 Nephi 5:13
Me and Sister Thompson :D
My desk space
My new name tag :D
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