Week 44, November 11 - November 17, 2013

Family,

So it was quite a week, Im safe and well. The storm has really shaken people here, It is pretty crazy to see all these busses full of people and supplies headed out to Tacloban. Elder Bacyans been dealing with it alright. Many people still have no word from their families, and some of those who do wish they hadnt gotten it. With all the calamity and death, Its been different to observe some of the changes in society here after an event of such widespread impact. People that didnt have too much faith in god before, people who didnt really know their purpose or gods purpose are starting to question, if he's there, who they are, and if there is such a being why would he do these things to those he loves. It has been a week full of pretty heavy questions for some of the people here and has led to some pretty good chances to answer them.

 Monday and tuesday we had to travel out to San Pablo. We started early and went out to MLC, It was another spiritual experince, we talked alot about preparing for the mission tour. We talked alot about priesthood keys. Its something ive never understood too much before, but the keys are what matters, not the man assigned to them. We need to trust in the keys because of where they come from, they come directly from our Savior. There was a quote from a seventy who said, "I will tell you what is on every member of the 70's minds, dont dissapoint the keys of the priesthood." The priesthood keys are what run the church, thew 70 have the same keys of the 12 apostels assigned to a specific area in the world. They act as a twelve in their assigned area, so as you shake the hand of one, its kind of like your looking into the eyes of any of the twelve apostles of the Lord from the time of Jesus Christ until now. Im one of the lucky ones being a leader who will get to sit down in a meeting with him to discuss a gospel topic as well as eat dinner as a leadership council. We talked about being ready, Its been amazing to experience the shift in meetings as those who attend are prepared to be spiritually uplifted and edified. Were working this week to repent of little things, to change, and to be ready to welcome someone who holds those keys. 

We presented our Workshop on Thuirsday. We had a good time with it. The changes in the Zone have been good, it kind of refreshed things.We had a really inspiring meeting, set really good goals, and recommited everyone to be a little more obedient. It was definetly a success. We were thankful for the Atonement of Jesus Christ, Me and Elder Bacyan being the same age in the mission, were the 4 th to youngest of 16 missionarys in the room, but the spirit was there and we were able to do what we needed to do. 

Its real and its amazing. I recognize that power in my life every day, and I know it only comes as we live worthy of the Holy Ghost. I finished the book of mormon on for the 5th time this week, and if I learned anything from that topic of the Holy Ghost, its that the atonement has no effect in our lives if we dont live worthy of the power which brings it to us, the Holy Ghost. Its amazing, and infinite. Hes a being that we know little about, but has such a miraculous influence in our lives we can never forget him. 

Live Worthy of his presence in your life.

I love you all,

Elder Johnson

The hurricane was huge! Its pretty amazing that Elders Family is ok. Its shaking alot of peoples faith in god here.. Its been interestingto be a part of. We have 20 new missionaries from Tacloban here, none yet in Lopez, but its been a pretty crazy week as the batch in December went home early, and the new tacloban missionaries came in. Really busy, but really fun as well.

Week 43, November 4 - November 10, 2013 - Typhoon Haiyan, the biggest in recorded history, hit the Philippines, Zach gets a new companion, Elder Bacyan, Nanay Butardo baptized next week!

Dear Parent,

We wanted to let you know that as of Friday, November 8, 2013 6:30 PM Philippine time, your missionary is safe and accounted for.  We know you are concerned about the typhoon.  The eye of the storm is south of us but because it is so large, we are feeling the effects of heavy rains and strong winds.  All missionaries have been prepared with adequate food supplies, water, and candles to last through the storm.  They have likewise been instructed to remain in their apartments until the storm has passed.  We would welcome your prayers in behalf of all the missionaries in the Philippines.  We will update you in the morning.

Kindest regards,

Sister Hansen, Mission Secretary
          Philippines San Pablo Mission

Dear Parents,

The typhoon is passing beyond the western borders of the Philippines.  We are still getting rain and winds in our mission areas but all missionaries remain  safe and accounted for. We have received several offers of  parents wanting to send supplies to the people hardest hit.  President Peterson made a call to President Ardern of the Area Presidency regarding this.  President Ardern advised those wishing to help should make a generous contribution to the humanitarian fund on their tithing slips.  This fund is what the local leaders draw from to assist those in need to get the things they have urgent need of.  We thank you so very much for your prayers, for your generosity and for your willingness to help the Philippine people.  We know the Lord has watched over and protected the missionaries here in San Pablo Mission. Please continue to pray for those in areas south of us who were hardest hit with the effects of the typhoon.

Kindest regards,

Sister Hansen, Mission Secretary
          Philippines San Pablo Mission

Hey family,

I hope the week went well! Its not Moms birthday until tomorrow, but I just wanted to say I love you, and its good that Im not there, it means you only have one more and I'll be home! I hope its a great week for you :)

I hope your week was good as a family! We had a pretty scary storm here in the Phils, it was a super typhoon they called it. Im here with my new companion, Elder Bacyan. Hes my batch, we've been in the mission the same amount of time, it was a fun Its been a hard week for him, but hes kept a good attitude. His home is 20 minutes from the eye of the storm and he still hasn't had any contact with his family, all cell phones are down, We really are just trying to work hard, laugh and not think too much about it. I know his family will be fine, pray for the people here.
(While we were emailing, Elder received an email with information about his family...Zach then emailed this to us: He just got an Email, everyone in his family is OK, but his house is completely gone, everything, but his fmaily is ok)

It was a good week overall though, Im excited for the new transfer. We got MLC this next week, It should be great. I got my waffle Iron, and a new bag with the money, The spiritual experiences happen every day. Its amazing to see the cahnges in people lives. We have a baptism next week, Nanay Butardo. Shes so ready for full activity and membership, Im so excited, were hoping that her family follows after her. Shes read until 4th nephi, and her testimony is amazing. Her auora has changed, and I cant wait for the powers of godliness to have full power in her life through the Holy Ghost. 

Its been amazing, I love and miss you each day, but I would worry if I didnt, not much else could give me the inspiration like you guys do. 

Love You

Elder Johnson

(asked him what we could do for Elder Bacyan's family)

Im not sure, Ill let you know next week, Just prayers for now. He says just give that generous fast offering, that what the people need, its starting over from nothing

It's truly amazing that everyone in his family is safe and together, Im jsut worried for some of his friends in Tacloban CIty, The floods here werent too bad, jsut fun to look at, and mad getting to some investigators houses a little difficult, but Im good and safe, 

We have MLC this week, It'll be fun, We have our mission tour as well this month with a member of the 70, itll be a good experience, 

Zach's new companion, Elder Bacyan, is from right outside Tacloban where the typhoon hit the worst. When they got to the internet cafe, he was hoping to hear about them, and thankfully he did.

We told Zach that we were able to spend part of our Sunday at Elder Kartchner's homecoming. We also were able to see Elder Knight there and get the blessing of meeting Sister Carmichael. What an amazing group this is! We are excited for Zach to have such great friends to come home to in another year.

Ha, yea its really weird that David, was sitting here last week as Elder Kartchner, but now you guys spent the last few hours with him!

I miss those guys! Im excited to see him in a year ha

Thats so great! Its so wierd to see them all, Im freaking out a little, time goes by so fast! 

(I asked him about these special Philippine belts that both Elder Kartchner and Elder Knight had on...see below)

Ill definetly get some belts, the callabao horn is a little more expensive! So If they want those send some money, They do wood ones, thats what I sport every day, they do ones from bamboo, as well as coconut shells, Its pretty cool! They can do whatever design you want as well.

I got to go back to Lucban before transfer day!! It was amazing

 When I went back to Lucban, all 7 of the people I saw baptized are still active, and Joel has the Melchezidic preiesthood, they're going to be sealed as a family next year! 

We didnt have any water, so ELder Merrill just burned it!

(We asked him about an investigator that Elder Kartchner had mentioned in his talk...)

Thats James! He actually is in Manilla, hes coming back soon, so it might be a little longer before he enters the waters, but its been an amazing experience, he realized what was important, and as he let the Holy Ghost enter into his heart, he saw what the gospel can do for him, and he kind of humbled himself to it. Hes amazing, he'll be a great leader here.

I got back to Lucban because it was transfer day, so I slept over there for a night, and got to see some people! does gonzalo e-mail you guys?

Gonzalos fine, hes just funny, he's a little different, but hes the best member missionary in Lucban, hes helped baptize 4 more deaf from the time I left!

Have the best birthday ever! :)

I gotta run! Ill send pics next week, I lopve you all so much! Be safe, have fun

Elder Johnson

He just got an Email, everyone in his family is OK, but his house is completely gone, everything, but his fmaily is ok, he almost cried, Its been a crazy experience..

Week 42, October 28 - November 3, 2013 Halloween in the Philippines, Elder Kartchner leaving

Hey guys!

Happy Halloween, I hope it was fun, here in the Phils, on Halloween, everyone spends the night in the cemetery with their deceased loved ones, theres alot of drinking, singing, and food, it gets pretty crazy, so we had a curfew, but the coolest part was to look out and see the cemetery, all lit up by candles, there were so many people, and so many candles, it kind of looked like this whole entire hill of cement graves was on fire, there wer so many people, and we had a good chance to teach some people about the Plan of Salvation, if they were still sober. Elder Kartchner left on Saturday, It was strange, we both kind of got hit with this wavew of sadness, but we prayed and the spirit confirmed to us that the mission isnt the end of progression, but the begining, It was a great transfer with that guy, Im excited for the nex chapter here in Lopez Zone as well, we'll keep this momentum going. It'll be fun.

Im here with Elder Merrill, he's fro Idaho. He is my temporary companion until we go to the mission home on thursday to get our new companions. It reminds me of when I was with Elder Mendoza after Elder Knight went home, He's a good guy. 

We worked in his area yesterday, and we had an amazing experience. The night before we had gone over to one of his recent converts, they live in a small home made of bamboo shoots, and its on stilts about 7 or 8 feet in the air, he was feeling sick, and we offered him a blessing, ands told him we wanted to get him a gift and bring it to him tomorrow, he accepted and was excited for our return. This man was a convert of two months and had finished the Book of Mormon twice, so we thought it would be a good idea to get him a trifold, with the D+C and Pearl of Great Price. So we went back the next day. We walked up the ramp above the shallow pond under his house, and sat down. We held out the book and explained that it was for him, Before we could even begin explaining it he broke down in tears. He took the book in his work weathered sun beaten hands, and brought it to his face, he smelled it, and began to sob. He gave us both a hug, and between tears explained that that book, was all he wanted, he said his salvation and the well being of his family was now in his hands. It was an amazing experience. He esteemed that book for what its truly worth, and as it explains in the scriptures, I felt that Joy like Ammon, as I saw him recogmize the importance of the book in his life, It made my appreciation increase, and I saw a seed begin to grow in a man that I know one day will be an amazing leader in the Lopez stake.

The Mission is amazing, I have learned to recognize the spirit in my life, and I know that as we as people understand and act on his promptings, we find those experiences that god has prepared for us to change others lives for the better. 

The gospels true, this is his kingdom on the Earth, Joseph Smith was his prophet here in these Last days,

Go share it with someone!

Love you all,

Elder Johnson

(We asked him about Elder Kartchner's homecoming)

Yea, he lives in Murray, his homecoming is on the 10th, hes in Manilla right now, they go to the temple tomorrow, then hop on the plane, 

Im not sure his adress exactly, but if you send him a message on FB, he'll probably respond.. I dont have his other e-mail yet. 

(How is your hand healing?)

Its been amazing, it talks aout in D+C how if we are faithful to our covenant our soul shall be renewed even unto the healing of our badys, Im almost al the way healed, theres no permanent damage except a small scar on the middel of my wrist, its a little pink but its almost healed, pretty cool!

Thanks guys, I gotta Run, I love yopu so much, thanks for your support, its what keeps me going, t lifts me up.

WIth love,

Elder Johnson

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