Week 41, October 21 - October 27, 2013

Hey family,

So its been a good week, we justy got back from balayan at about midnight last night after about 8 hours on a bus, it was crowded, and smelled a little different,  picture an old subway car in new york, with some graffiti, and supoer old advertisments, some of them just barely hanging on, the lights on the ceiling are flashing on and off, and the TV up front is playing old michael Jackson music videos, and thats the bus, but amid it all we were able to share the gospel and find some people who really need it. We have a return appointment with one family on friday, It was fun, I honestly enjoyed it. I grow to love this place more each day. 

It was fun to go back to Balayan, Its got a special place in my heart. We went and visited an old convert family of Elder Knight and Elder Kartchner who has fallen away a little bit, they baptized 3 of the 5 in their family, the Dad was in prison, but while there heard of his families baptism. He read the entire Book of Mormon, and got released 2 days before Elder Kartch and I got there. The timing was amazing, we taught their family as a whole and committed them to repent, come back to the joy they had in the church, as well as committed their dad to baptism. It was amazing to see the difference in his eyes as he understood that the atonement could erase all the feelings that he had to sit and think about in prison the past 2 years. It was an amazing experience, just another one of many that really makes me realize how much everyone needs to apply it in their life, How much each of us draws off of the atonement, whether we realize it or not. 

Its been a good week, Im looking forward to this last week with Elder Kartchner, Hes awesome, hes taught me alot, and I think he'll continue to throughout my life.

I wasnt able to get the waffle Iron yet, but I still got almost all of the money, but in 2 weeks Im going to San Pablo, Ill go get some stuff then!

Im good! The Zone's really turning around, their reacting well to the praise were giving, Its been really fun, and this transfer has absolutely flown by! 

Im doing alright, just loving it here in lopez, the other reason its outer darkness is because its so hot here! It'll be 102 degrees this week, with not a cloud in the sky, and its winter ha

I tried cooking, Elder Kartchner is pretty good, and ive learned some simple recipies, but we moved on to cooking fish, It was my first time frying a tilapya, and the pan was really hot, Elder Kartchner didn't want it to burn up so he said get it in there, but the proper technique is to put it in slow, having never done it before, I dropped this fish from about 8 inches up and when it hit the pan it caught fire! The oil got me pretty good, Its a second degree burn, but Its looking better, ...It'll be a pretty good remembrance of the Phils. (ok...note from mom:  this made me realize that I have failed in the kitchen:()

But the work is good, its hard sometimes, but the work will pay off in a few weeks in the Lords timing. I know we'll see some people enter those waters.

The mission is amazing, and the gospel is true

With Love,

Elder Johnson

The Burn!  Its on my right wrist, and left eye, it really hurts, I cry all the time.... No im just kidding, its on my right wrist, Its kind of flaked off, and now it looks like a really bad sunburn, its pretty stiff, im just keeping it clean, itll heal Sister Peterson said :)

Notice the shorts..war eagle

Week 40, October 14 - October 20, 2013

Hey Family,

I got your letters, thanks for that, its fun to get those, even if it takes awhile.

It sounds like all is well in utah, I miss that cold air sometimes, Its been a really hot week here in Lopez! but we kept working, weve been working really really hard towards our goals and it was getting a little frustrating last week, as the area was not being too friendly, but out of nowhere, we found a few part member families that had been coming to church, and all the sudden we had 7 potential people who will get baptized in the next few weeks, its been amazing, as we give our time to the zone, we lose time in our area, but the Lord really blesses us with those that are prepared as we use the time we do have in our area to its fullest. Its been a pretty cool experience.

I gave my first workshop yesterday at Zone Interviews. It was a little nerveraking giving it with the AP's and President sitting there too, but when I was up there working with Elder Kartchner, it was just like teaching a lesson, Just easy and fun. I think the Zone learned alot about the Book of Mormon and how to use it better, itys what lays that foundation, so when someone has a concern, we need to not open our mouth, but open the book, turn them to the words of christ, not to the knowledge of man. We hope as they apply it we'll see some good progression!

Its been cool, leadership hasnt been too bad yet, it makes the time go so fast! but more than anything, it gives you a capacity to love the guys you serve with a greater capacity. Its been a blessing.

It was really humbling and amazing experience to hear president respond to my question. I asked if there was anything he needed from me, and he pasued for a moment, then looked at me and said, "Elder, your doing it." It felt good to know that this is what the Lord needs me to do, and that he thinks I am doing it. I felt an incredible peace and renewed energy to go out and keep doing what were doing, its a hard place out here in the Bundok (thats a tagalog weord, it means mountain, WW2 soldiers, brought it back to america and started using it!), but I love all the guys, and we'll turn it around.

The gospels true, I see gods hand in our work every day. He is the one who brings understanding. He is the one who lifts, and brings us to where weneed to be in his eternal plan for the salvation of his childeren

It was a good week!

I love you all!

ELder Johnson

The tagalog has a little different accent everywhere, like english, its a little different in texas than in georgia, it different in utah than in minnesota, they use different little words like an oy, or in batangas, eh, or in Lopez, ay.. its like a pirate haha, 

No nothings too different, the people are a little slower in their understanding of the lessons, its honestly the poorest area iver been in, I got a little bit of culture shock coming into it, its amazing what people can live in, and some of the houses they can build just out of bamboo!

The apartments are pretty nice, its not bad, thats in gumaca, another area, theirs is really nice, its got an aircon too, lucky guys, we just got electric fans!

Mostly just busses, the busses here are nuts! Its like fast and the furious! always jsut inches from other cars, running tricycles off the road, but we.ve never been in a wreck yet, its actually impressive, but all of lopez runs along a coastal highway. Its really beautiful!

Hey! Yea, we watched it last week! Its was awesome, lots of inspiration! I like the focus on the family, It made me feel blessed to have a good one!

the beach

The weekly planning session witrh gumaca

Week 39, October 7 - October 13, 2013

Family!

So it was a good week, we had alot of things going on, general conference, some exchanges with some Elders in our Zone, and an amazing District Meeting with the Calauag Elders and the Gines Senior Couple. We have a new senior couple in our zone, they're filipino, and their so nice! they will help out a ton in getting the stake where it needs to be. The time is flying, we are constantly thinking about everything that needs to happen in the Zone, and we are changing the way we pray for everyone. Every prayer I say means more to me now. Its more personal, and im puting the time in, and I can tell you that it makes a difference even if its hard to walk after your knees get numb ha. Its been great to see some of the changes in the behavior of the zone as well as in the support their getting from the ward. Its far from in working order still, but at least those small changes are coming. Its small victories that count!

Conference was amazing. There were some really great inspirations we got that we want to apply to the zone. They talked alot about families though.. The role of the mother, and the family as the basic unit of society. Those statistics in Elder Oakes talk were staggering, its just another sign of the times. Its close, you can see it here in the Phils. There is so much wickedness, it all starts with the family situation, and there is such a dramatic difference in the lives of those in the church and those not yet in it. It made me think about 5 years down the road where I am going to be.. it was a little scary, but im excited about what im learning right now preparing me for whats next! We are working well in our teaching as a companionship. Its been fun, Elder Kartchner is a great example of a listner. He loves to listen to people, and its taught me alot more about how to listen. Im learning alot. Hes super smart, and an amazing cook. Hes an only child, so his childhood was really different from mine ha, his Mom and Dad worked, and he was the one who had dinner ready for them when they came home, the stuff he makes is great! and im trying to learn a little bit of the technique from him as well.

Im feeling good and healthy, I think im about to hit a growth spurt or something, ive never been more tired or hungry than I am right now in this stage of my life, but we keep pushing through!

In cultural news, I found that if I dont have rice, Im not full, it dosent matter what meal it is, if I just eat bread, its not enough ha! I love filipino food! So we should definetly get a nice rice cooker when I get home.I'll cook us some good adobo :)

I have MLC again on the 4th of November, and im definitely getting the waffle iron! 

Ill try to withdraw a little bit here to see if the cards working!

Thanks for everything, everyone sounds well, Thanks for your support, you all inspire me every day! 

Elder Johnson

Bantacay Falls

The Men of Lopez, Theres no sisters in the Zone ha

Week 38, September 30 - October 6, 2013

We went to San Pablo and had an amazing meeting though. It was definetly the most spiritual thing in my life since the temple. It was kind of cool to have a say in what happens in the mission, and see our progress..It was the first time I felt really confident about what Ive been called to be. Its an amazing thing. I feel god making me into what he needs me to be, sometimes words just come, as we try and live worthy and lead in love, and I know that its definetly not us who leads the mission. The area is a little slow, and it can really suckl it out of you if your not ready. You have to lean alot on your companion. Im glad I have Elder Kartchner to help me though, he's great. Im just trying to be humble and learn all I can from him.

Yea, conference is next week! it'll be fun, its at the stake center here in Lopez.I bet it was great!

One cool experience was as we met with the Stake, Being a zone leader, were in charge of the missionaries and the missionary work in the Lopez stake, there has been some things done in the past by thew ZL's that arent good for the change here in Lopez stake, but we asked president to come with us and report to the stake. Hes an amazing example of how to act in those meetings. We praised them and made sure they felt our support and then as they felt the love from the missionaries, I saw a change in the stake presidencies countenance, They wanted to change, I saw a burden being taken from them as they felt love from others. I saw the darkness that has been here in Lopez, the stall of missionary work, being lifted, They want to change, they want to do better, and im excited to see it put in to action.

It was a good week! Hopefully I can get the waffle iron soon

B-ball, and a cool trike

Me and Kartch

Me and Sis Aotriz, Sister Training Leader, like a Zone Leader, but for sisters, shes pretty cool

MLC faces

Week 37, September 23 - September 29, 2013 New companion, Elder Kartchner

Hey guys im on! I got some big news!

So im no longer in Lipa.. ive been called as Zone Leader in Lopez Quezon!

Its been a pretty crazy week.. 

Well Im here in Lopez city, Its a branch with membership records of 460, and about 60 active members, the branch president is 25 years old, and an RM, hes got some great Ideas, Its honestly been a little rough, the people here are unbelievably poor, its very hard to see sometimes, and as far as the other areas in our Zone go, there about just as bad, its been called outer darkness in the past, they dont send sisters here because of the strong branches of muslim extremists in the mountains, theyve just had some bad missionarys and the wards have gotten in some bad habits, but president gave me one of the best companions in the mission, Elder Kartchner, He goes home in 5 weeks, but Hes the best because he had a great trainer, Elder Knight.. ha, Yup, were brothers in the mission and we got big plans to turn this whole place around!

I wasnt too sad to leave Lipa, its only been 2 transfers, It was more sad to leave my boy, Elder Hammer, but his follow up trainer is great, He'll take good care of him. 

I honestly feel humbled, It was good to think that president has enough trust in me that he put me in this position. I was the only one in my batch of missionaries that stepped up like this, and its been a little scary. Ive had to take the leadership roll fast! Im training district leaders who have been in the mission close to two years without ever being a district leader myself, But i know whom god calls he qualifies!

Yea I feel good, were being obedient, so we have the spirit, I feel good, we'll be fine! Hows the family doing?

Yea, Lopez Quezon, the guys here are called NPA, the new peoples army, but we do carry around itaks, or machettes whenever we are going out to the areas they're in. They wouldnt send us anywhere thats not safe. Its a nice place here, haha Lopez, our area is more city, but the people are just so poor its harder to establish the church. Its really been a humbling experience, its right up along the beach, and everything runs off of a railraoad, instead of tricycles or motorcycles, everyone has a skate, its like a bike but with barings that grip to the railroad, and all of our investigators live in these little houses on the side of the rails. Its pretty cool. Its really experiencing the philippines.

The outer darkness, is because of the weather, its so hot, its 6 hours from the mission home, and the work is hard they say, But that was the past, theres rumors that if your pasaway president sends you to this Zone so he dosent have to deal with you, The ZLs in the past have been pretty bad, so its gotten a bad reputation, but were going to change all of that. These people mean to much to god to not fix this situation.

Ha dont worry mom! Ill be fine, Alma 19:23 its a promise

Yea, its alot of Bicol influence, but the people speak mostly tagalog, Were a companionship of ZL's its been great, as our teaching is alot the same having trhe same trainer.

Yea, that sounds like Lopez, theres not much to it, the only thing we have is a 7-11 ha, its definetly the rougheswt, but one of the most beautiful areas in the mission!

Yea. Its further away than the Islands. Were closer to the Naga mission home that San Pablo ha, but its really amazing. We walk all the time! but the railroad skates are the best to take, they load as many people as they can on this plank of wood with barings and pedals and then start out pushing it then pedal as hard as they can and we get coasting pretty fast on top of the tracks!

Ha, the concrete is so broken here I would die, but aside from you guys and skiing, Disco skatings about all I miss :)

Elder Hammer

Some Investigators, the Laygo brothers in Lipa

Elder Kartchner on a skate!

More Investigators..The Espiritu family! Theyre amazing

Yea, Its all good in the apartment, a little rougher, we live above a maternity clinic ha, but its been the missionarys house for a long time now, We are the furthest south, I have two of my batchmates in my Zone, president comes to visit sometimes, at least once a transfer as well as if we have a problem..

Yea, its a good zone, The DL there is new, so were working hard with him on becoming a leader, but, yea, we got some people we need to help, Catanauan is furthest away, they are 3 hours from us, but we'll go on splits at least once this transfer. Im excited to learn, Im not sure how to do this Job, but im excited I got someone like Elder Kartchner who does.

Love You too!

Talk to you next week :) Thanks for your examples

Elder Johnson

Week 36, September 16 - September 22, 2013

Hey guys,

So it was a good week, alot happened, it was a little crazy and cut into alot of the work, but overall a good week, first we moved, we are in a new apartment with the Zone Leaders, so that took up monday and tuesday, It was funny the way they do things here in the Phils. When it comes to moving all you need is a jeepney and a driver willing to give up their day, we moved 4 people out of two different houses all for about 25 US dollars! We stuffed everything we could into this jeepney  (that basically is like a big tin can on wheels), we had beds strapped to the top and a fridge hanging off the back, with all of us squished in the front seat, it was quite a picture, and it only took 2 trips ha. 

It was a good day wednesday as we had our Zone Conference, President gave an amazing workshop on the Holy Ghost, its influences, its power and the differences of its divinity verses the light of Christ that is given to all men. The Holy Ghost has become a big part of my life, its second to the atonement. The Holy Ghost to me used to be a small figure in the god head in my eyes, im not saying that any member is small, but just in my eyes in the past, but now as I am studying his influence in the Book of Mormon, as well as the amazing workshop by president, I realize that his power is just as that of our heavenly father, that even though he speaks in a still small voice, his influence in the plan of redemption is far from small. I have learned to recognize his influence in my life and strive to live worthy of it every day as a missionary, and Its amazing the growth that occurs, and the lives that are changed because of him. Hes become more than a voice, he has become a real person,a  man who can appear to us in the form of a man, he is a man who can only be in one place at one time, yet his influence can be felt in every single one of our lives. He is our guide, he forgives, and cleanses, he helps us become better. 

It was a good day thursday, president came to our apartment, Elder Thompsion is deathly ill,throwing up, cant eat, its not pretty, so hes in the mission home right now, so me and Elder Najorda and Elder Hammer are in a threesome. Its been fun! But while president was there he walked past our study table on the way out, and I thought he was just going to leave, but as he was walking out the door he turned around, and got a little emotional and said "thank you Elders, I feel a special spirit here, thank you for that." We said thank you too president. Its been amazing to develop a relationship with that man. Hes become like Dad to me, and authority figure, but someone I can really talk to as well. I know he goes through alot, theres alot of Elders that just simply arent ready to be here, theres alot of things he has to deal with eveery day that he honestly shouldnt have to, so It was good to see that I was able to bring a little peace and happiness back into his life, simply by being obedient and doing the things we need to do. I feel like thats the feeling of our father in heaven as well.  

We finished out the week alright, but the Typhoon came on Saturday, and Sunday, so our investigators, let alone members had a hard time making it to church. It was crazy how rainy its been and event now as im typing, theres so much rain, its just in sheets! but were praying for safety. 

But overall a good Week, Thanks for your love and support, 

Be Safe!

Elder Johnson

This is a jeepney, its our transportation here 

Week 35, September 9 - September 15, 2013 Alot of confusion in Lipa - this week was his hardest week of work thus far as they try to get people to listen to their message

Hey guys,

The week went well, It was a little discouraging, its definitely the hardest ive worked my entire mission for the smallest visible result.. Im trying to stay positive, but it was rough! We planned so well, and had such amazing expectations, but I think every plan we made fell through! We walked and walked and in a rage of fear for these peoples salvation we talked to everyone! tracted every house! and managed to get some new investigators, but the thing is that Satans biggest tool here in the Philippines is confusion. Confusion is amazingly effective and has such a grip on the hearts and minds of people here, especially here in Lipa. Confusion causes many people to stop their search for the truth, and i've seen it this week. Many people are through looking, and the ones who aren't are so clouded in the mind with false doctrines and traditions of their fathers that the small light of truth that our heavenly father wants to give is swallowed up in the clouds of confusion that so easily beset the people here. Its so frustrating, its beyond numbers now, its a true anguish of soul as I talk to people and they aren't even willing to try the things we say. D&C 42 talks about preaching to those who will receive you, and that's really what I want. I know not everyone has stopped their search. and the only way to find out if their mind is truly open to change or not is to be bold. Lipa City has made me bold beyond measure, I don't doubt any more, I know that this is the true church, I know that there is only one way back to our loving father in heaven and I know that at the last day even if a person was extremely active in another church, even if all their doings were kind and just here on the earth, if they don't come unto Christ through baptism receiving the holy ghost and enduring to the end, the outstretched arms of mercy of our savior Jesus Christ are in no way able to help them overcome the law of Justice that the father set in our pre mortal existence. This life is so short in the vast incomprehensible span of eternity and the things we do now will effect us for the eternity to come. Its not an option to do the things you have to here on the earth. Christ is the example, as we follow him, we become like him, god wants us to return back, and not  just return to stay there in his presence, but return and do the same thing hes doing right now, and if we dont help those who dont have this gospel especially in our families, we arent doing our part, we arent furthering the redemptive work of Christ. We arent helping them to fulfill gods plan to become just like him.

The gospel is amazing. The Book of Mormon is True, and the things that god commands, just simply arent an option. 

I just want to explain it to someone with an open mind, and I know if we keep working, theyll come! 

I love you guys!

Elder Johnson

Thanks guys, I know its not over, its just a hard area, were planting so many seeds, I'm just glad the lords given me this part of his vineyard, Its a good place here, things are progressing, and I see miracles every day. Its just hard to see people abuse their agency!

I think what I really want is just a nice waffle iron, its only 784 pesos, Thats less than $20! and it would make all the difference in the mornings ha

Any other news? you guys sound like your doing well, max is already playing again!?

This is a huge billboard right in the front, its the most famous TV show here in the philippines, notice the title ha its truly like soddom and gommorah!

Heres the pic of the week, I got my polos tailored, I think I lost a good 15 pounds when I got sick a few weeks ago, but im getting it back.

THanks for everything, Its sounds like everything is good there, my health is back in oreder, and were goingh to work hard next week! I feel your prayers, thanks for everything!

WIth love,

Elder Johnson