Week 26, July 8 - July 14, 2013

Im ON!

Hi Family,

So the week went well, we didn't have any mishaps with disobedience yet with Elder Rosario, the numbers were alright, but one thing that I do want to bring up is the irresponsibility of the previous Elders here in Lipa 2A, It was pretty rough. They did us pretty bad. They used 90% of the LOAD, which is the ability to text, LOAD is the pre-paid texts and minutes on cell phones here, and they didn't pay for their Electric or water bill. This Tuesday as we were coming in from a rough start to the week, as we couldn't contact the members to work with us or give us a tour of the area as a result of limited LOAD, we discovered that there was no electricity, i'm fine with doing study and planning by candlelight, but no electricity means no Electric fan. No electric fan means bugs, and sweat, and heat, so we paid the bill Wednesday after district meeting, but the thing is that because it was so late, it cost 200 extra pesos, the Elders left 700 pesos total, for water and electric, but the electric bill alone because of their complete disregard of the 2 to 3 prior warnings to pay, or notice of cut off, cost 746 pesos. We're still trying to see how we can afford to pay the water bill, as life is much more expensive here in Lipa, and the budget is tight. The electric wasn't reconnected until Thursday evening, and when it came on, I was more grateful for my electric fan than ever!

Trials of faith, Trials of faith, but this is the Lords work, he wants to build us.

We kept working and we have 7 people with Baptismal Dates, the Reyez family, and a potential completed family, the Biscocho family, hopefully we'll see them progress.

I got all your letters, they fill me with strength, they remind me of the amazing support i have half way around the World..

Keep praying, I Love you all.

Elder Johnson




I saw a pillar of light...




The District



On my way home from a Volcano!



Elder Sembrano and I at the bus stop before transfers






Basketball, it doesn't matter the conditions

Week 25, July 1 - July 7, 2013 New area LIPA BATANGAS, new companion ELDER ROSARIO, re-opening Lipa 2A, visited hot springs in a stagnant volcano on P-day

Are you guys still awake??

Sorry if you not, I went to a volcano.. I'll send you some pictures


Hey there,

So I'm here in Lipa Batangas, not in Lucban where 2 of my previous investigators were baptized yesterday.

Im here with my new companion, Elder Rosario. Elder Rosario goes home in 37 days, needless to say he's a little trunky. He's from Pagsanhanan, up north, he speaks Ilocono, another of the 185 dialects here in the Philippines, we have our differences, but he's a really good guy.

We're re-opening in Lipa 2A. The previous missionaries left no progressing investigators, the ones they left were teenage girls, and the area book wasn't updated for 5 weeks. It was a pretty rough first two days, but yesterday, we found 2 new investigators close to the house, we're hoping to get the work going again here in 2A,

It was a great P-Day, I went out to an island off the shore of Lipa, in a little fish boat and hiked up and over the mountain into a stagnant volcano with a hot spring in the bottom. We were able to share the gospel with our tour guide, who has never really been off of this island, It was like something off "The Other Side of Heaven" a really cool experience.

Hopefully next week I have some kind of experience with an investigator to share, i'll keep working hard, it's what the Lord needs.

Thanks for your prayers and support

With Love,

Elder Johnson

I'm writing right now, but im here in Lipa Batangas with my new companion, Elder Rosario he goes home in a few weeks. Im re-opening and Senior Comp. It's been the hardest week of my mission, so much change, and a challenge of a companion, but there's things that the Lord wants me to know... I'm feeling good, I'm healthy, and still trying to figure out this massive area we have.. It's different, but I'm feeling good


I got your pictures, I'm glad everyone is doing well,

Speaking of glasses, I think I might need some for my astigmatism, They do free eye tests here and everything's alot cheaper, I'll keep you posted,

I'll send some pictures right now.


And then....he didn't send any pictures:( Maybe next week!!

Week 24, June 24 - June 30, 2013 Gonzalo is baptized!, Transfer week is next week and he hopes to stay in Lucban longer...

Hello all!

Well it was a good week, It was filled with more growth, and spiritual experiences, Its a week like this that makes all of it worth it.

I was able to baptize a guy who has changed everything in his life for the gospel of Jesus Christ. Gonzalo, my favorite deaf friend, was baptized on Saturday, and it was truly amazing. The first time I met Gonzalo he had on make-up, tight jeans, and an extremely fit shirt, I didn't want to judge, but I never thought I would see the day that he was baptized, But the worth of souls is great, so we didn't give up on him, and after failing 2 baptismal pre-interviews, He didn't give up on himself. He kept studying, kept repenting, and his faith grew to the point that he was able to throw everything away from his old life and start over anew being a disciple of our lord and savior. He's a new person, all his friends can see it, and I can see it in his countenance. He signed to us in his testimony how grateful he was to have repented. He said he's never felt this clean, and that through the atonement he knows of Christ's love for him.

This is just one of the many experiences that strengthens me and lets me know the church is true, I look back in my journal, and every day I have seen the Lords hand as im doing his work. There are too many experiences, too many things that have happened that have an amazing end result for the hand of the Lord to not have been involved. Some days im able to give more than others to the people here in Lucban but I can honestly see it, as I've given what I can give to others, I've found myself, and the Lord has helped me to grow.

The mission is amazing! If you haven't gone yet, go, go serve the Lord and he will make you something so much more than you can be on your own!

With Love,

Elder Johnson

Next week is transfer week, I'm hoping im not transferred, we have so much that still needs to happen here in Lucban, But I know it's in the Lords hands.

I dont think about how close I am to the people here until I think about leaving, But I know there's a plan, I just really want another 6 weeks here

We have another 2 baptisms next week, Bro June, and Sis MAry Joy! They were so prepared by the lord, Its amazing the people ive met and the things that ive been able to be a part of!

Elder Sembrano is great! He still likes TV, He's doing better though, He's such a great teacher and helps me learn.

Im not training, but many of my batchmates are, I'm still a Junior Companion, which was a bummer at first, but again, I've learned here to trust in the Lord and his plan for me.

It was a good week,


There are a flood of sisters coming in, the next batch is 31 missionaries, and 18 are sisters!

The Hastening the work was so great! I love President Packer's comments. Teaching with the spirit is the only way to do it.

I got quite a few e-mails from friends this week, Bakker, and Morgan Doane, I still need to reply! So Im learning another Language too! Visaya, it's the language of the southern phils, It's pretty different, but that is Elder Sembrano's first language so he's a pretty good teacher.

I need deodorant!

Maybe a tie? The gum you sent, turned into a messy clay here with the humidity in the phils so i wasn't able to eat to use too much of it!

We're at a different internet shop , so I'll send some pictures next week!

I gotta Jet, we're headed to SM, Elder Sembrano needs a side bag, backpacks are against the rules now! but we follow the prophet...

Love you all,

Until Next week, hopefully still here in Lucban!

Elder Johnson

(We sent a photo of Frank and Max in Jackson Hole, WY...and of course Zach had a comment about that photo....

That looks sweet, I miss the Mountains sometimes!

Keep having fun, and be safe

Week 23, June 17 - June 23, 2013 Transfers coming up....doesn't want to leave Lucban:(, baptismal interview with Gonzalo, Mary Joy and June to be baptized on July 13th!

Hey there famiy!

So his week was good, It was he baptismal interview of Gonzalo, the Deaf that you saw when we skyped, He has worked hard and prepared for his baptism, and it was a good feeling to have him finally be able to pass that interview and be ready for he waters of baptism next week. We have two other investigators, Mary Joy and June that will be baptized on the 13th of July, transfer day is the 6th of July, and I dont know whats going to happen, I hope Im not transferred yet, Lucban is too great, we have so much going on that I want to be here for, but I know that its in the Lords hands.

It was an amazing experience this week as we taught June repentance like we learned in Zone Conference. He has explained to us that in he has some pretty serious sins and he has felt as if he cant pray to the Lord, he said that the words just get caught up in his throat like something is holding him back, we have kept following up and insuring him that the lord is quick to forgive as we put forth our effort and come to him, and repent of our sins. and his week he said he had the courage to truly kneel down and repent of his sins, and as he did, the words just started flowing, and his prayer was more meaningful than any he had offered before. He felt the cleansing power of he spirit, and his prayer in our last lesson was so clear and powerful. I know he has felt he power of he atonement in his life, and I can see that through experimenting on he word, his faith has grown. and hes been filled with desire, a desire to follow christ in all things, even unto baptism.

I was a good week,

Thanks for your support!

I love you all

Elder Johnson

Week 22, June 10 - June 16, 2013 4 baptisms scheduled, new mission rules

Hey Guys!

Thanks for the pictures, I remember that place, Its a good memory!

Im doing well, Im learning more and more tagalog and forgetting more and more english every day ha, but Its a good thing, tagalog is the language of salvation here!

The week was good! we are almost finished visiting every less active on the ward directory. Its amazing how peoples hearts soften even if you just make a quick visit, say hello and ask about their life. It makes them feel they're not forgotten. Were experiencing some good success with the Less actives here. Its been a good week for our investigators as well. We had some great experiences using OYM, (Open Your Mouth) the new key indicator that was the topic of Zone Conference, its been amazing to see how some of the people we meet are truly prepared by the lord, He puts them in your path, and if you dont give them the message who will? We really are going to try for that 70 OYM this week.

We found a new investigator completely by the spirit, we were walking and it was raining pretty hard, when Elder Sembrano grabbed my arm and said turn around, so we turned around and went back to this house that we'd already passed. He tao po'd and through the crack of the door we could see there was this older guy, sitting on his couch. He invited us in. His name is June, and he said as he was sitting in his chair he was thinking about his life and he had said a prayer. We passed the house and he thought for a moment that we'd passed him by, but then Elder Sembrano had had that prompting to go back. He said the second we walked back he knew he should let us in. He was very receptive and seemed genuine in his answers in the lesson. Were hoping to see him progress.

We have 4 baptisms scheduled for the next few weeks, Gonzalo(deaf) Sister Mary Joy, Brother June, and Brother Mackey. were hoping they will go through. When you see someone you have grown to love act in faith and make that change in their life it really makes everything worth it.

They implemented some new rules this week, we are no longer allowed to have backpacks! We have to have side bags only, a slim side bag, here in the Philippines, the area 70 are seeing that as we match the message more, we are able to get into the big houses, we rate houses here in the mission, 1 to 10 and the area 70 wants us to focus on middle class houses, 5 to 8's which is really hard for the Pinoy Elders, if they come from a poor situation sometimes, these wealthier people intimidate them. Its been a really big week of change in the mission and im sure we'll hear more about it in the Zone Con this week. Its been hard to adjust but I know its inspired of god.We are becoming more of a mission like in the states, Its pretty hard to be a mission president here, The Pinoy Elders arent used to any rulesat home. Theres really none here, its controlled chaos, and thats why its still a third world country. Im anxious to see if the Elders in the mission will step up to what the Lord wants. I hope they can step up, the Lord needs it.

Thanks for your support,

You all are older in the picture! Its crazy!

I love you all

Elder Johnson

Week 21, June 2 - June 9, 2013 "Its been a week of growth, growth of self, growth of companionship, but most of all growth of testimony."

Hey Family,

You guys sound like your doing well. I hope the wedding went well! I am here in the SM in Lucena, I bought some MaineWood rubber shoes, because the rainy season is officially here, It is so good for the work, but the rain is like nothing ive seen! Its so thick and never stops! Its pretty cool honestly

This week was good, but It started out really rough, School started this week, Tuesday we had 20 names down, and got punted 17 times, It was truly discouraging, but I was confident that the next day would be better. So I woke up confident and faithful that we would have a better day, We did our studies, got out of the house on time, but to no avail, we were punted 17 times again, We came home and Id never felt so discouraged, I felt like i'd never given so much spiritually, and had so little visible results, I sat down and after we prayed to end our planning session with aching feet and heavy hearts, I started crying, Im not sure why, It was just a little bit too much at that point for me. It want because It was hard for me physically, I knew that the aching feet and back and whatnot were part of this when I came in to it, but I feel such a responsibility and a love for these people that we have met and I know how much they need the gospel in their lives , so I guess I just didnt know why it wasnt working. It wasnt like we were being lazy, we worked hard the whole day, we go to bed on time, and get up on time, we really are striving for obedience, I dont know what the break down was, but I got on my knees and prayed, and immediately felt better. I thought about it, and there were too many good days in Lucban, I , even though the poeple were of a perfect faith, walking in the ways of the Lord, the lord seeth fit to test his people. We kept praying and striving for that obedience, kept planning and preparing, and kept working and there was a turnaround, as we stayed faithful and kept working in patience, things started to work out, people were home, and our lessons seemed more powerfull than ever.

Its been a week of growth, growth of self, growth of companionship, but most of all a growth of testimony. I was humbled this week, and just like in the book of mormon, when a person (like Alma the younger), is humbled unto repentance the lord can truly make them an instrument in his hands. I can truly feel it in my life now, there is a part of my testimony that is there now that was completely non existent before.This week was another testimony to me that when it gets hard, to really dig down and study the word of god, they are powerful, and they have a way of answering any question and giving comfort that any person in any situation might have or need in this life.

The words of Joseph smith keep running through my head that "Sometimes the lord brings us low so he can lift us higher"

Ive felt it and I know its true.
Have fun in California!

With Love from the Phillipines,

Elder Johnson

Week 20, May 27 - June 2, 2013 Joel, Kathy, and Eden baptized! Rainy season begins....sheets of rain

Hey everyone,

This week was great, Elder Sembrano is awesome, my tagalog has gotten so much better in just the week alone, he dosent speak much english, Im trying to help him, But really no complaints, hes a good guy. This week it was the baptism of Joel Kathy and Eden. The 3 investigators that Elder Knight and I started teaching. It was great. Everything went well. We had the Sister missionaries from Tayabas there, we had some members of their families there, We wanted to have more investigators there, we invited everyone, we called again the day of, but something always seems to come up and their not able to make it. It was a good service, we felt the spirit. You could see the change in their countenance. I know they'll be great members. It was a long time that we spent teaching them, But its good because I know their truly converted. They're converted because of the teachings of the church, not to the missionaries who brought them to them.

But the funny part is yesterday, before the confirmation, we realized that Kathy's real name is Katrina. I said kathy in the prayer, so luckily, inspired by the Lord, I had left my baptismal clothes there at the church to dry overnight, bishop hadnt drained the font, and there was an extra set of dry baptismal clothing that Kathy fit into, so we had all we needed to get it done before the 3rd hour when Kathy was confirmed.I know the Lord knows when we make mistakes, and for something as big as the ordinance of baptism, he'll provide a way to get it done, but boy did I feel sheepish, Bishop Alpuerto, the Lucban Bishop was a little bit upset with us, but as time went on He just laughed about it, boy was it a crazy sunday! This is just one of the Life lessons im learning here in the philippines, gods a god of order and his records are there for a reason, they are truly important to the work!!

Im jealous of al the family out for the wedding! I miss you guys,

The rainy season is starting here in the phils, Its like nothing Ive ever seen, just sheets of rain that can tear right through your average umbrella and soak through any bag! But I love it. Everyone here is walking around with a big jacket and a sweatshirt, but it still feels like a summer night in utah to me ha,

I know the gospel is true and Im thankful for it,

Read the Book of Mormon!!

Love Elder Johnson