Week 33, August 26 - September 1, 2013 Zach was sicker than he's ever been this past week:(, but recovered for the baptism of Nanay Rosa!

Cooper! I saw a really cool bird!

Family!

Man another week! This week was a little different. That sickness I was feeling last week was what expanded into a fever that lasted until thursday, It was scary, i've never had anything put me down like that. I came out in rashes and I couldnt sleep, I had the dizziness going on which led to getting nauseous, man I was a wreck for a few days! But I got through it and we had a good half a week of work. It was the baptism of Nanay Rosa, that was truly amazing, it shows the power of the refferal, she progressed so fast! It was a simple service, because I was sick I didnt have invitations to give out and it was kind of up to the ward to get it all planned, which is how it is supposed to be, but here in the phils, the wards arent quite there yet, so the night of, they were asking me who the speakers were and where the program was, but its ok! we were able to find someone last minute, and the spirit was still the same. She was confirmed sunday, I stood in the circle and had that calm that is like no other feeling in the world as I watched this 68 year old woman who ive grown to love so much be confirmed and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost that our father in heaven has promised all of us as we show our faith unto baptism, and be confirmed a member of his church, It was amazing, It makes it all worth it.

Lipa is a hard place, the people are hard, the traditions of the fathers are harder, I get frustrated often as we work here, but the feeling when you see someone change their life like that is truly amazing. 

Were working really hard, I can feel your prayers, they lift me up every day. The work is true, and Im giving it all I got, every day that god gives me, We wont quit until the great Jehovah tells us to. 

With Love,

Elder Johnson

Week 32, August 19 - August 25, 2013 Zach is enjoying his new companion, Elder Hammer, Nanay Rosa will be baptized next week!

Hey there!

So it was a great week. Alot that I learned, alot that is happening in the Ward. We have been focusing alot on the ward and the Ward and Family Mission Plan. I think within the next few weeks here, we'll have alot of action in the Ward. Alot of refferals, and alot of member support. The baptism of Nanay Rosa is next week! she passed her interview and she said shes excited to change her life. Its been amazing talking with her and seeing how she has recognized the blessings in her life. It was really a good week, me and Elder Hammer are getting closer. Its fun to have someone with american humor, it feels good to laugh! We worked super hard this week, and last night i was honestly feeling terrible. I got a cold on wednesday, and its kind of been getting worse and worse, I called sister peterson last night, and talked to her, she gave me some pills that would help, but im a little bit worried now as it seems like more than just a fever. Im kind of dizzy all the time. Sometimes Elders get something called vertigo here in the mission, just from lack of sleep and the heat, Ive been taking it slow today, but I think this past week I just worked a little bit harder than my body could handle. Elder Hammer has been great, really patient, and he gave me a blessing as well. Im hoping it clears up soon! Pray for me, the Lord needs us 100%!

I hope all is well, This is the Lords work, and im so glad to be a part of it.

I love you guys,

Elder Johnson

Elder Johnson with Elder Rosario

Elder Johnson with his new companion Elder Hammer from Seattle 

Yea1 Thats our lunch, sardines or tuna in a can heated up on the stove then rice! SOmetimes we get to eat at members houses, its pretty great when that happens, but mostly just rice and canned ulam at home.

Here in the phils we dont have breakfast lunch or dinner, they just ask what was your ulam. Kanin is rice, thats every meal, but Ulam is whatever you put on top of your rice!

Theres about 115 active members here, theres alot of less actives, but its a good ward. We have SM in our area, which has eerything that you need, but its american prices for the american things, so its pretty pricy! but its got every restaraunt you could think of, McDonalds, KFC, all of it!

Its pretty great

I gotta run, I love you so much! Thanks for your support, 

Love Elder JOhnson

Week 31, August 12 - August 18, 2013 Zach is called to train Elder Hammer from Seattle, WA

We, at home, received the following letter from Zach's Mission President:

August 20, 2013

Dear Brother and Sister Johnson,

We wanted to let you know that your son, Elder Zachary Taylor Johnson, has been
 called to be a Trainer in the Philippines San Pablo Mission.  This is a very important position of trust and responsibility as he helps guide a new missionary, Elder Caden J. Hammer, through the first crucial weeks of the mission and gets him started off right.  We are so grateful for Elder Johnson’s valuable service here.

Best Regards,

President George E. Peterson
Sister Kathryn M. Peterson
Philippines San Pablo Mission

Yea! its been crazy, its been a super good week, kind of stressful as Ive felt inadequate to train this new missionary, Elder Hammer, from Seattle Washington, Hes a great guy! Hes 18 and fresh out of the MTC, It was stressful at first, but as ive prayed ive felt the lords help in the answers, and guidance and comfort that ive been able to give these past few days. Weve been working hard, the area isnt treating us too well, its raining alot, but we learn more each day. It brought me back to my first few days! Everything is different and you cant understand anyone, but I think as I feel what hes going through the answers that I give him are better. We talked about Supernatural Aid coming from god to ovcercome the natural man on sunday, Ive felt that supernatural help the past few days. Its been amazing! 

Elder Hammers Brother gets home tomorrow, its going to be like me and max next year, he was having a rough time, but it made me think, that if im not going to see my bro for a few years, theres no better place that id want him to be, but serving the lord.

Im good! We got a baptism coming up on the 31st, nanay rosa, shews 68 years old, and everyone at church loves her! itll be good, I think im going to get some pants today, I might need to withdraw, but Im good, just gummi bears if you send a package!

yea its not working, im sorry! Ill send a ton next week! I gotta run, I love you all lots! Well keep working hard

Elder JOhnson

Week 30, August 5 - August 11, 2013

Hey guys!

Im sorry, Im late on this letter we had a zone p-day, we went bowling! It was pretty funny, bowling is the same regardless of where you are in the world, I felt like id walked into that bowling alley next to chuck-e-cheese in sandy, it was a good time

Thanks for the pictures! Their awesome, tucker looks 3 years older from when I left! Everyone looks good, im glad you had fun.

Big news, Im training this next transfer! Ill finally be a father in the mission! Ill know who my kid is on the 15th, it'll be fun, its a little intimidating, but I know the Lord provides a way,

It was a good week here, we finally had some investigators keep that commitment to come to church, George Gaid and his family, their awesome! and they've committed to baptism on the 31 of August, its taken alot of prayers and work, but there's some good progression that's going to happen here next transfer. Its been a good trip the past two times we've been out to Balete that new area were opening, alot of OYMing and alot of battles, but we found 11 new investigators, one who has a jeepney, and I got a return appointment to teach the Mayor, as well as the Municipal Secretary, I figure that big things will happen if we can get those two converted. The ward is starting to respond with the Famly Mission Plan, hopefully as we follow up these next few weeks we'll get some refferals that become new solid investigators. Were running out of people to talk to on our regular routes that we walk, people are really stuck in the wicked traditions of their fathers here, but we keep working, Elder Rosario was better this week, its been hard to get in contact with members to work with us as I lost the cell phone on Monday night. Its rough
He didnt pay a the bills in his first two areas, so his support this month got cut from 3800 pesos, which would easily last him until he gets home, to just 1000, I said president what am I supposed to do? but he says we need to share what we have, so i'm having to pay for him on just about everything and the money is just flying away, I'm still good for a good 2 weeks or so, I just have to make it till Saturday, then im just paying for myself again, but I think towards the end of the month I might need some help from you guys, ill pinch pennies, but its so expensive, and it all comes from his irresponsibility 2 years ago..its frustrating, but it teaches me patience and humility, its like the law of concecration, ha

It was a good week,

Thanks for your support, and mom i dont feel neglected on mail, its just something that kind of happens here, its so far away, no one but the filipino Elders gets mail, and you guys have written a ton!! I get it, but its pretty late, and I hear what has happened through e-mail, but packages are good, just some gummy bears would be nice, the big bag from costco, the gummies arent the same here, its just different ha

Love you all lots

Elder Johnson

Awesome! Im writing about the week, its been pretty crazy! Elder Rosarios going home so I dropped him off yesterday, and have been juggling with 3 different companions, working wherever they need me until thursday when I go to the mission home and see who ill be training!

Its Elder Clarke, from new zeland, Elder Valdez filipinio, and Elder Merrill from Idaho, we are in calaca, I had to come with Elder Clarke, to get ghis stuff, we found out he was transfered, then were going back to Alaminos to the mission home and will work there till thursday

Yes! Im excited to train, a little nervous, but whom the lord calls he qualifies! I hope hes hard working, i feel so tired after Elder Rosario, Its hard if you cant feed oof your companion, if theres just one battery, it tires you out, but Im glad I got to help him!

THanks for the money, ill only use it when im really in need!

Its going well! well have some good success next transfer im hoping. We have three baptisms that are for sure and then a whole family thats really progressing. The ward is taking off! They are working with us, they are giving those referrals, Its going good! We are seeing the rewards of all the hours of finding this transfer.

My clothes are good, I got my polos tailored, there more fit now. I think I might have lost a little weight, but gained a little more muscle. pants get pretty rtorn up here, so I think i might invest in one more set of pants. We can wear kackis now, and be a little more stylish, Its super wet all the time, but the rockports are still holding up, I think ill get them re soled soon. the yellow towels are starting to get pretty dirty, but their still all right. Im feeling good, not too stressed, just feeling good, 

Is there a new temple endowment video?!

Bay and Aimee, Lucky! I miss despicable me! is the 2nd one out yet? they say that the language they speak is tagalog? im not sure if its true, but it kind of sounds like it!

Thats awesome! No we get to go the temple before we go home, thats it. I wish we did, theres a whole lot of Elders who arent being obedient here in this mission, If I ever become something im going to work hard to see if we can go as a mission, at least once every 6 months. I feel like it gives you so much more perspective if you go to the temple, there would be alot more obedience, some of the things I hear, and see Elders do make me sick... but its alright, everyone builds the mission they want  to buil;d, tghe mission they have to look back on for the rest of their lives.

The keens were alright, but we tract really big rich houses with cars now, I tract in english alot of the time, because it makes them feel smarter, and president said our shoes should look pretty nice, so its just the rockports, The chacos have been good for p-days, and around the house, filipinos dont wear choes, just flip flops, it dosent matter what the activity is, its pretty funny! 

yea, im teaching the primary kids piano lessons! its pretty cool! Hopefully well get some interest in it next transfer, were doing an english class, piano lessons, and family history!

Who plays the keys for cahoots, I havent heard a word from Mason, Dallin, or anyone, NaTALIE IS ON her mission in Baltimore right now. pretty cool! Shes in the same mission as danny gainer. I hope Mason goes on a mission! I dont have his e-mail.

Its mostly filipinos that are disobedient, if you get a foreigner thats disobedient its even worse, theres cell phones, girlfriends, LOC problems, its just really bad, the mission was super bad before president got here, but slowly that generation is dying off. Ive seen the consequences in the area that I reopened, its a big problem, 

Have you read doctrines of salvation, by Joseph feilding smith?

Its all good, but its all his sermons, and evwery answer to the deep doctrines about the plan of salvation, its really old, im not sure if the church supports it now, but its got so much information! It was overwhelming, I just switched back to my BOM reading! Im good omn the music front, you can download it all onto a flash drive off LDS.org, and play it back on the DVD player in the apartment.

I got it from the apartment in Lucban, its super old, has alot of crazy doctrines in it, its one of those things thats been passed down for a long time in the mission.

I have a DVD/CD player for training, so we can listen to hymns and things like that in the apartment. I have time to read at night, if you have good books, send them for christmas! 

So evidently, there were 2 missionaries of another faith who were shot on tuesday after we left that new area that were opening, Balete, Iglesia ni cristo is a church here, if you want to read a story, read up on them! its crazy, but they sometimes have hitmen, and after we left Balete on tuesday, two missionaries died, im not sure if they though it was us, or whats going on, but president said we cant go back for at least a month! Its a bummer because I was teaching the mayor there, and had some good investigators, but its pretty crazy! Im not sure the motive, but we wont go back for awhile!

Love you all!My camera is in Lipa! I really want to send some, next week ill send a bunch! I gotta run, times almost up! I love you all, 

Be safe and have fun!

Ill send a picture of me and my kid next week!

With Love,

Elder Johnson

Week 29, July 29 - August 4, 2013 He is excited to become a trainer with his next transfer on the 15th, the Gaid family commits to baptism, the Mayor sets a return appointment

Hey guys!

Im sorry, Im late on this letter we had a zone p-day, we went bowling! It was pretty funny, bowling is the same regardless of where you are in the world, I felt like id walked into that bowling alley next to chuck-e-cheese in sandy, it was a good time

Thanks for the pictures! They're awesome, tucker looks 3 years older from when I left! Everyone looks good, im glad you had fun.

Big news, Im training this next transfer! Ill finally be a father in the mission! Ill know who my kid is on the 15th, it'll be fun, its a little intimidating, but I know the Lord provides a way,

It was a good week here, we finally had some investigators keep that commitment to come to church, George Gaid and his family, their awesome! and they've committed to baptism on the 31 of August, its taken alot of prayers and work, but there's some good progression that's going to happen here next transfer. Its been a good trip the past two times we've been out to Balete that new area were opening, alot of OYMing and alot of battles, but we found 11 new investigators, one who has a jeepney, and I got a return appointment to teach the Mayor, as well as the Municipal Secretary, I figure that big things will happen if we can get those two converted. The ward is starting to respond with the Famly Mission Plan, hopefully as we follow up these next few weeks we'll get some refferals that become new solid investigators. Were running out of people to talk to on our regular routes that we walk, people are really stuck in the wicked traditions of their fathers here, but we keep working, its been hard to get in contact with members to work with us as I lost the cell phone on Monday night.

It was a good week,

Thanks for your support, and mom i dont feel neglected on mail, its just something that kind of happens here, its so far away, no one but the filipino Elders gets mail, and you guys have written a ton!! I get it, but its pretty late, and I hear what has happened through e-mail, but packages are good, just some gummy bears would be nice, the big bag from costco, the gummies arent the same here, its just different ha

Love you all lots

Elder Johnson

Week 28, July 22 - July 28, 2013

Hey all!

The week went well, Im here and healthy in Lipa!

We had Zone Interviews this week, It was good to hear some good workshops from the AP's and Sister Peterson. It is good to see everyone in the Zone, see how their doing, but my interview with President was great, we talked about the area, and about the work, he says he is proud of me for turning the work around just in the past 2 weeks, He talked about my companion, and explained why he put him with me. After that I explained to him that this week I had a change of heart, this past week on monday after I worte you guys, I was feeling super down, just really sorry for myself, and I decided to really stop and analyze the situation, analyze myself, and I asked myself if I was going to keep complaining about the situation, or if I was going to make the best of it and try and grow. Its a hard situation, im not going to lie. We contact and talk to so many people every day, we get rejected so many times every, and then to have a companion whos not open to change, who is notrious for being a struggle, its rough, it wears down on you, and I found that I was criticizing, and finding the bad in Elder Rosario and the situation, but as I worked to find the good in the situation, and in Elder Roasrio, even if theres not much of it in either, Its just happier, more work gets done, and i felt the difference immediately. after I finished explaining this president looked at me and said "thank you Elder, Criticizm and contention cannot further this work. Learn Humility now Elder" he said "because, beacause of what you are, I can promise you that all your companions will be like Elder Rosario until your finished here in the mission.", we both kind of smiled and laughed, the he said "Youre the man" and we shook hands and finished it. It was a good moment, the spirit was great in the Interview, and as I came out I kind of had the same feeling as when your in the temple, just at peace with who I am and what Im doing. It was good to feel again.

We kept working this week and ive been being Elder Rosarios friend, buying him a drink, buying him some bread, from the little tindahans or stores that are everywhere here, Ive been learning patience, and as we worked together, the Lord blessed us by meeting Nanay Rosa, shes 68 years old, but she just wants to change her Life, she came to church this sunday, after just one lesson with us, and immediately loved everyone there. Shes ready and Im excited to keep teaching her and see that change. 

Pretty awesome week,

Thanks for the support,

Love Elder Johnson

1.Rice burger, my creation

2.Us 2 and the Zone Leaders in Balete, the 4 of us are opening an area

3. We tore down a house and built a new one for service!

Week 27, July 15 - July 21, 2013 New companion, Elder Rosario and a new dialect - Vicaya

Hey Guys!

It wasn't a bad week here in Lipa, we are working hard, but the people just don't seem to want it. It's very very catholic here, there is a massive Cathedral, and according to Bishop, it's kind of got the same feeling to them as the temple has to us, and because of the generations of catholic ancestors before them people are pretty confused about where the truth is. We try to stop the confusion, but the best feeling is as you see it in someones eyes that they know what were saying is true, even if they don't let us in right now. I feel like we're planting alot of seeds, hopefully someone can harvest them later. We are OYMing like crazy, and really trying to work as much as we can, It's a fine balance, because I want to work super hard and get out and find those people that are waiting, but if Elder doesn't, it's hard to make him, because it causes contention, and we can't have the spirit if there's contention, and if we dont have the spirit we can't teach, it's kind of a bummer sometimes, but you can only work as hard as your companion wants to, I give positive feedback, and I think it's working, but It might just be a matter of time before Elder feels like the work that he's doing is for naught as he gets closer to going home, I hope it doesn't come to that, the Lord needs two years, nothing less.

We are trying to work more closely with members, Bishop says that is one thing that the members need here, is to be strengthened. Almost all the members in the ward are new converts of 4 to 5 years. He says that if we really work with them he knows that they'll respond with referrals. It's like a tree, we need to strengthen the roots, before we can branch out. I know that thats the way to success here in Lipa. Referrals, tracting is just not working right now, as we can see from the numbers this week, 64 OYMs (open your mouth, share your message to someone you've never met before) but only 13 new investigators, so that's the goal, work more with members, get to know them all, and I know in time, the ball will start rolling, faster and faster, until this ward is running according to the Red Handbook

Here in the Phils there's not really a place where they put crazy people, they just kind of wander around, and one of them is a member! He brought a Sto Nino, a little statue of baby jesus that catholics pray to here, to church! He set it down at the end of the walkway up to the church and then sprinted towards the doors screaming! We hurried and closed and locked the front door, he then wandered around the side, and as he did, Elder Thompson and I ran and threw the baby Jesus statue in the trash pile in front of the church. He ran towards us, and followed us inside screaming, we were able to calm him down and give him ten Pesos to catch a jeepney home, he left, but not without digging through the trash to get his baby Jesus statue, it's stories like that you never forget ha

It's been fun here, tough but fun

The work is true

Elder Johnson

I got a haircut, the barbers here are pretty good, you get a single blade razor shave and massage on the shoulders for like 30 pesos, 75 cents


Frank said: This picture reminds me of the movie What About Bob? :)


Zach replied: haha Doc look! Im sailing! Im sailing!!

Frank said: We just need to tie you to the mast. "Did you know I sail now?"

ha man I miss that movie, Its a classic :)




Elder Rosario is his name, ha but the living is good, I think im getting a little skinnier, but I keep exercising, im not sure, I havent seen a scale since ive been here, but i feel good really! Were looking for a new house because there are 4 missionaries here in Lipa 2, us and the Zone Leaders, so if were all in one apartment its easier to plan where to tract and work more as a team, theres alot of really awesome options, but we are looking close to the church, hopefully we can find one by next week


Frank said: What kind of exercise do you do? I want you to be able to pump out 100 straight pushups when you get home! :)

Zach responded: I can do 156 straight now! and I try and add one every day, but sometimes I get lazy,

The language here is Vicaya, its pretty rough,

I gotta Jet!

I love you all, thanks for everything!

Have fun, be safe,

Elder Johnson