Week 73, June 2 - June 8, 2014*

Hey there! Im on! Get me an update! I was transfered to Calamba Laguna! Its beautiful!

Hey Family, Well its a new transfer, a new place, a new start, and a new companion, Meet Elder Farley, he's from Bountiful Utah, hes 21, and he's really excited to be out on a mission, he's been here 6 weeks, but Im restarting his training as a result of some pretty ugly things that have happened to him the past with his true father, Lets just say its a really good thing he dosent want to go home as a result of the experience hes had thus far in the mission, but were headed in a good direction now. Im here in Calamba 1st ward. Our chapel is really old, it was the 2nd or 3rd one built here in the Phils. The work is slow, were reopening, but as we met with the leaders things were filled with hope. I can feel the changes that are bound to happen here, the members said there was a different spirit with us that there has been in the past, and were excited to capitialize on it. Elder Farley is really really excited to work, and that makes the job of helping him so much easier.

It was really hard to leave Lemery, There has been some massive changes there in my time, and I felt so blessed as the call gave me a chance to reflect on the changes and blessings we've seen as well as the many many things ive learned.I packed my bags and went to the mission home thursday. President wanted to talk to me about some things, as I walked into his office, and sat down and talked with him we had the chance to reflect on the past year and a half.  He thanked me for taking everything he had taught me and changing. He thanked me for my service the past 9 and a half months as a Leader for him, he hoped that i'd learned some things, we talked about the assignment and trials which lay a head, we talked about Elder Farley and how we could help him, he said he's see me when I came home, and that he really wanted to make it to my homecoming, and then he closed, we shared a moment of silence after the hand shake, and then I asked for a hug, as we embraced he said thank you, with tears in his eyes, he was quiet for a moment and said through tears you know Elder one day Im going to meet your parents, and when I do Im gonna tell them how it is, then he added, they dont even know the half of it. I've wondered often how I would know if the service i've performed was pleasing to the Lord, and I can testify that the Lord testifies to us in quiet moments that he is in deed pleased with us just as he did with me as I heard that man that Iove so much say those words to me. After he said that, I lost it, and we enjoyed a few good moments together sobbing. As I walked out of the office trying to hide the tears I was wrapped in a big hug by Sister Peterson, It was a good day, it filled me with hope and inspired me to do better than before, Often the Lord places us in our missions not only for the people we can help, but for the things we can learn from those who serve with us, Ive learned many things, and Im so grateful for the Petersons.

The work is great, God is good, 

Love you all

Elder Johnson