Week 51, December 30, 2013 - January 5, 2014

Well, 

The week went great, It was new years eve here in the Phils. The goal of new years here is to try and blow up the island, and It was almost like basic training, It was like a battlefield, smoke rising from everywhere, jeepneys revving, tricycles honking, airhorns blowing, and firecrackers going off  every second for about the hours of 11 to 2 A.M.! It was pretty crazy, but actually very beautiful in a way, we climbed up the water tower in the back of our house and kind of just watched as the fireworks went off and the smoke started to rise, it was a pretty cool view! I'll remember it always.

We had MLC, it was really a great spiritual experience, Were really focusing on working with Members, Its really been amazing to see the changes again here in Lopez this week, I think it was one of the most succesful weeks of my mission, started off wiith 2 baptisms, and we had 12 people at church, we keep going up, and I feel so blessed! were trying to better implement the things that were doing in our area to those Elders in the Zone to help them get that same success, but its really hard to change the culture immediately, here in the Phils everyone kind of throws the responsibility on the missionaries, which is not how it should be. Were an assistant to the wards finding efforts, its a new idea that were kind of introducing with these members, and as we do they're acting, they're becoming member missionary's and the result is truly amazing. The AP's called us, they're coming to do splits with us later tonight, It'll be fun.

The Baptism was great, Lea and Rosita Villamen. They are converts from Iglesia ni Cristo, the dominant and corrupt church here in the Phils. It was one of those where I really feel like I didn't do anything in their conversion. We used the members, we taught what we needed to and as we were there with the spirit, we were just the tool, I really felt god working through us, and the changes just started happening in their lives, I love it. The change that I see brings me joy like nothing ive ever felt before. 

One thing Elder and I read this week was about virtue in Preach My Gospel and we set a goal to become a little more virtuous. Here in the mission, i'm not going to lie, I think about skiing alot, In my thoughts, i'm always skiing ha, but we talked about what we would give up to become more eye single, for me it was skiing, for Elder, just as with all Elders sometimes, its girls. So we help each other, we memorize hymns and sing them together, we memorize scriptures, and always have the talks from conference in our heads, and it been amazing how successful we've been as missionaries. The days fly by, we see change in everyone we teach, their faith increases, and all are edified, Its been hard, the second I wanted to give up thinking about skiing, I had the hardest time not thinking about it, but were overcoming those things, and were seeing the success. 

The week went great, were looking forward to a good Zone Interviews and another chance to talk to President.

I love you all!

Elder Johnson

 Thats at MLC, mission leaders council, were all batch, we all came in at the same time and we all have been called as leaders now too, its pretty fun to see all of them each month.

(Still has not received his Christmas package...so I mentioned that I'd better get on his birthday package (February) since it is taking so long...I am thinking positively and not realistically that he will still soon receive his Christmas box;)) He responded:

Im not sure..Ill think about it this week and get back to you next week on the B-day package, theres always SM, I could use some new pants, mabey another good pair of brown shoes, ive run the rockports down to nothing, they have holes in the sole!

Im excited to get that package! Im excited to read that book, It'll be fun, regardless of when I get it :)

ha, dont worry i'll get it! The other pair of shoes were mine, but their definetly not great for tracting around in the mud like the rockports.. But I'll let you know,

I gotta run! 

Love You SO Much

Be safe

Elder Johnson

Week 50, December 23 - December 29, 2013

Hey Guys!

Its good to hear you made it safe, It was good to see you on Christmas, I think those calls are perfect, its not enough to take your focus from the work, but just enough to inspire you to work harder, Its really weird to think I might not call you next Christmas, but actually be there with you! 

Christmas here in the Phils. was a little different, Its really hot outside, it dosent feel much like the Christmas I know in Utah, there's alot of rice, alot of noodles, alot of Tang and Kool Aid, which aside from alcohol is the drink of choice here. It was really different, but through it all, being away from the family, being in a different place, I just felt for one of the first times, as I remembered who's birth we were celebrating I really felt a desire to represent him in a better way, so I think Christmas was the most focused we have been on the work, and it really was amazing to feel the difference, I felt closer to him, I felt his love more fully in my life. Its amazing as we strive to change to better align our lives with that of our savior how god is able to bless us so much more abundantly. Its been really great to have time to get to know Jesus Christ Here in the mission through the scriptures. I've gotten to know him as my friend, I've gotten to know his character, to read how he acts, and each day i've been able to strive to emmulate that in my life, not for me, but for those who I work with, Its been amazing for me to see that god glorifies his name through us. God helps others feel the power of the atonement of Jesus Christ as we strive to become like him. God blesses us as we change, change to better fit our lives with that of the savior brings true joy and contentment in this life and the life to come, and the first step is knowing what our savior would do. What would he think and how would he react to a certain situation. God gives us certain situations in this life that will try us, even every day situations like if someone cuts us off in traffic, and he expects us to react as the savior would, and knowledge of how he would react comes through our study of the Book of Mormon, the Bible, and the other records and testimony's of his life and divinity. That's why this scripture study everyone talks about is so important, so we can know of our savior, to better understand his ways and become like him. 

Its a pretty cool concept.

Christmas went well, aside from the spiritual growth, I got soaked as it rained and we were caught without an umbrella, and we bonded as an apartment over a dinner of twizzlers in Elder Shaws package, Rice, Fried Chicken, Buko Salad, (an amazing fresh coconut and Jello salad),  and Spaghetti. We opened up the presents from Elder Shaws Mom, andf were able to read the Nativity before going to bed. It was simple, but memorable. I'll cherish it always.

I hope alls well there, Im healthy and safe here, I honestly wouldnt want to do anything else right now, Its amazing to see the change the gospel brings to the lives of all those it touches.

Be safe! Have fun

Elder Johnson

(Still hasn't received Christmas package:()

Yea we'll see, Im excited to get the package, it'll just be a bonus!

Papaws picture is just like all the filipino me here in Lopez, thats their wardrobe, about 1/2 a shirt a pair of flip flops and alot of different boxers. It just brings back good memories of him ha

Christmas Skype - December 25, 2013

HEY THERE! We are here ready to talk to you on Skype when you are ready. We are at johnsonfam1992. Do you have the Skype handle from last time?

Hey guys, Im installing skype now!

Its taking a bit! sorry, but How are you guys?

Good!!! Quiet Christmas this year. Getting ready to leave for GA. Did you ever get your Christmas package??

Hey call me real fast, lets see if it works!!

Ok! What's your handle??

(Skype session)

Love you guys! Thanks so much! Be safe, i'll talk to you on monday!

Week 49, December 16- December 22, 2013

Family!

Everyone seems to be doing great! We had a great week here, I'm still here in Lopez! our Christmas Zone Conference was this past week, that was pretty fun, it was good to feel the Christmas spirit, I played a Solo on the piano, it was my own jazzed up version of Angels we have heard on High, and Joy to the World, its fun to share my talent that Mom created in me :) I hadn't really realized how close Christmas is, we've been so busy, and more than that, its been so hot! I think the past few days have been some of the hottest in my mission, 95 degrees, we almost broke 100 one day, but its been amazing to see how the Lord supports us, We are able to walk in that sun and humidity and feel completely ok, I feel constantly tired, but yet I can just jump right out of bed and do what needs to be done! Its a blessing for sure, that comes from living our covenants.

Im loving our companionship. Were growing and learning so much from each other, as well as the experiences that we have with the Zone, There has been some changes in some areas. The new guys seem to be alright for now, we got 2 Elders who this is their last 6 weeks in the field, that has a possibility to be a big problem or a massive help to the Zone, as well as an Elder who I really love Elder Greene, from New Zeland who seems to have lost his desire, Hes had some bad companions and its just been a downward spiral to the point now, where in his last area he and his companion were so disobedient and no work was done to the point that they completely closed the area to missionary work. He's an amazing Elder with great potential, we just have to really work to get that desire back in his life, help him see his Eternal Worth, as well as those around him, Help him see how sometimes his actions stand in the way of salvation. Pray for him, and his work, I'm excited to help him grow with our father in heavens help.

The area is doing great, I'm excited about our upcoming baptisms this transfer, Lots of potential. We are working with the Members here, who honestly have been neglected for quite some time, They don't quite understand the underlying principles of Mormonism, They don't understand gods plan to have us become just like him, so we came to the conclusion, that we really cant expect them to magnify their callings if they don't understand why they need to, so that's our focus, on the members, we want them to have that eternal perspective, we want them to know why they come to church, why they need to read the Book of Mormon every day and what it does for them, not only here on earth, but in the eternities to come. As they understand it better, their desire to share it with others will increase, its just a catalyst for growth, True doctrine understood changes behavior, and change is what we need not only here in Lopez, but every day in our lives, to better align them with the life of Jesus Christ. He wants to help us do this, so this Christmas, give him the only nothing that he cant take from you, your will, give it to him, give it up whatever that thing is that holds you back from becoming like him, and let him align your life with his, and that is when the blessings come. I know its true, Jesus Christ lives, and he works in each one of us as we let him. He is my Redeemer, and my friend, Im so happy we have this season to remember his birth. Cherish it.

I love you,

Merry Christmas!

Elder Johnson

Hey, how does a call on the night of the 25th sound, wednesday for you, thursday morning here, it'd be a little easier?

haha yea, it'll be fun, we get 40 minutes! you can talk to Elder Bacyan, hes great at english

noon, so if I call at 9 a.m. here, it'll be 6 p.m. there, be ready for that on wednesday night 6p.m.! 

K sounds good, Im soo excited!

I gotta run, I'll talk to you on christmas, I love you all so much, 

Be safe, have fun,

Love Elder Johnson :)

Week 48, December 9 - December 15, 2013

Family!

Its been a really good week, 

I just feel overwhelmingly happy with the things that are happening in the work, The Zone has changed, theres a different feeling here in Lopez Zone, Its no longer the outer darkness that everyone feared, it took a few transfers, but I feel like this train that was headed in the wrong direction back in June and July has slowed down and is on the turn around. The members are working, theres a different feeling at Zone Meetings, there's a love for each other and a love for the work thats increased in the past 6 weeks, I feel like there are a lot of Elders here that truly strive to be obedient and recognize the importance of the work, and we've been blessed as those Elders that don't quite recognize it yet, have started to, its led to some amazing changes, Its been fun, I honestly have never felt as much happiness as I feel when those I've grown to love make changes to better align their lives with that of the savior. Its an amazing thing.

The area is doing great, were finding through the members, were inspiring them with that video on any of the few DVD players we can find, and helping them catch the vision, and they are really responding. Theres been a change in the attitude of Members with regards to missionary work, its been fun to see, and were seeing that as we are patient as we teach those who members see fit to refer to us, no matter who they are, as we make the best of what god sees fit to give us in our branch, and look back on and thank him for how much he really has given, he blesses us in all phases of our lives. I love it!

Zarea Mae was baptized this week, it was a great service, her granpa a recently returned less active and struglling alcoholic performed the baptism, It was a really special experience for him.

I grow here everyday, its been such a happy week, Its a contentment that one can only find in the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, Its amazing, and im blessed to be able to share it with people :)

Love You!

Elder Johnson

Im doing well, honestly just really happy, Feeling healthy, my basketball game is getting better, I was able to contribute to the team this morning, the practice is paying off! Were getting ready for transfer week this week, and a special christmas Zone Conference, it'll be fun!

I hope max gets ok soon, Ill pray for him, I remeber how much that hurts (wisdom teeth:))

We made a christmas tree last monday!

Thats Zaria mae, and her family (below), the second one is some of the branch members who helped us teach her!

Merry Christmas, we love you! We made it this week haha

Elder Bacyan is doing great, were working really well together, and I honsetly couldnt ask for anyone better to change this Zone with, he's my batch coming into the mission, We celebrated his Birthday on the 10th, it was good, we had some cake and Ice cream, His family is now in Manila, everything is pretty destroyed there at his home, but they're doing alright, His Dad is abroad working in Dubai, its a really common thing, he comes home in a few days, and he'll help the family rebuild, but they were smart with their finances, they are alright he says.

I'll be really sad if I get transfered, its 4 days before christmas, and we have some great plans for the upcoming transfer, a whole lot of progressing investigators, but I'll go where god needs me...

(On this date Zach hadn't received his Christmas package yet...so in response...)

Yea!! I hope so this friday! Yea ill send a card! It might be a little while, but it'll get there! Im ok I think, no needs really, just excited for the next week, I love you guys! Thanks for inspiring me! We'll talk next week about details for the christmas call :)

Love you too :) 

THanks for your prayers, I feel them in my life! 

Week 47 - December 2 - December 8, 2013 His body has fully acclimated to the heat in the Philippines - he would die in Utah today!;), Zarea Mae and April will be a completed family soon!

Hey Guys!

I hope your all well, Im doing fine here in the Pines. Just enjoying the weather, My bodys become so weak to the cold, if it rains a little, and then i get in front of an electric fan I cant stand it! Air Con buses feel like someone trapped me in a freezer, but Its good, The human body is amazing in how it adapts to circumstances.

My health is back up, we had a great MLC and were having amazing experiences that help us grow each day, as leaders, as a companionship, and as people. We did a practice teaching with President Peterson He helped us know how to correct behavior with boldness and faith, not in our own words but using the scriptures, Me and Elder Bacyan have never had to deal with that yet as there's really no big problems with disobedience that we've seen in the Zone, there's nothing we've really had to fix, but president taught us to be more bold. It made me a little uneasy about the next transfer, I feel like he wants to give us some experience, and there's some pretty disobedient Elders that could possibly come in and give the work and us a hard time, but we trust in the Lord, and I know all things will be for our benefit and learning, Im excited to grow.

Were having good experiences with the Hastening the Work of Salvation Broadcast, The clip of the family sharing the gospel, the Ill go where you want me to go segment is amazing, I hope you guys have seen it. Its been really amazing, as just very few of the houses here have a TV, let alone a DVD player, but as we found a member that has both, and gathered a couple families into this small house to help them see the Lords vision for his church in these last days, the spirit came in so strong, they saw that sharing the gospel is through everyday kindness, that its not hard, its just following the example of Jesus Christ, and I felt the innate desire that they had to follow Jesus Christ come back into their minds, they wanted to follow the example of that family, amid the immense hardships of every family here in Lopez, Im hoping that through our follow up and trying to strengthen these members and families that his vision that God has will come to pass, The members are the way! Its an amazing thing, 

We have so much as a family, there's nothing that holds us back from taking the opportunities god gives us to share the gospel, Its up to us to pray for those and act on those promptings to do good, I know its the lords way and we'll be able to bless so many lives because of it.

Thanks for all your efforts.

Is the tree up yet? 

Merry Christmas,

Elder Johnson

We mgot the shoes! They are awesome!

Ha yea they are matching (the shoes they purchased at the SM that you can see them holding in the photo), im not sure why I look pale, ive noticed it too, maybe its because im next to a filipino, its just a mental thing, im in the sun all the time! yea thats the apartment (asked him if the background of the picture he sent was their apt.). Its fun! (asked him about the filters behind him)

Nad yea thats the water filtrationm we hjave, the water is pretty bad here in lopez but if you put soda in one end of that filter it will come out water! Its pretty amazing and clean, 

The whole family, the Sambajons

 Its been a good week, yea thats Zarea mae and April they'll be a comnpleted family soon, Zareas schediuled for baptism this week!

The zones doing well, no disobedience yet! They are all really great, We jsut need to inspire them again this week, we lost the fire a little bit.

Mission Leaders Council!

Is the tree up?

Send pics of the snow!!

Yea! Its pretty crazy, It'll be fun to see next year! The truck looks good, Who drives it now?

Max and tucker look like they've grown up a ton, It would be so fun to hang out with them! You guys have grown a ton, all of you, Its so cool to see what the gospel does for families, I feel like im there with you in every picture! (....love him...)

Its about up, I gotta run, but I love you all, thanks for your support to me, thanks for yur love, The card looks great! Ill print one off, I miss you guys,

Have fun and be safe,

Love you Lots, :)

Elder Johnson

Week 46, November 25 - December 1, 2013

Hey Family,

Happy Birthday yesterday Dad! I thought about you alot, I hope it was a good one, go ski for me!

So the week was great! We just got back from a Zone P-day, we kind of just hung out at the church, talked, relaxed, played some basketball, and got inspired as the lords weak things to go and thrash the world, pretty awesome, I have felt the lord bless me with a greater capacity, a capacity more like his to love those around me. It was a good time, We made a fun relay race as well, it was the entire day of a missionary in about 10 minutes from waking up and eating a bowl of oatmeal and showering to daily planning as the last leg. It was pretty crazy, pretty fun to watch too. I learned that I should improve my basketball game, filipinos are some of the best in the world, they love it! They cant get enough, and they made me look silly! I still got a year, ill make a comeback!

As far as my health goes it was a pretty hard week, That stomach ache from last week didn't want to go away until about 2 days ago, We went to the hospital, they tested me and it wasn't a worm, we were a little worried, but the doctor said there was a ridiculous amount of bacteria just kind of built up in there from something I had eaten before, I came to the conclusion that it was the canned meats they sell here, Its like spam, but a little more sketchy, It was kind of sucking the energy and happiness out of me, but he gave me some pills that were pretty powerful, I got some probiotics in me and after about 2 days I think whatever was in me is not anymore, It was a pretty bad experience, i've lost some weight, but i'll get it back again!  

We had a great week as far as spirituality goes though, We had the opportunity to hear from a general authority. The things he said were truly amazing, but so incredibly simple that after when I was able to tell him what id personally learned, the only answer I could give him was that the overwhelming thought that came to my head was that true happiness and contentment come through simple gospel living. We learned abut the enabling power of the atonement of Jesus Christ, we talked about the deeply rooted, yet simple principle of it, that as we live worthy of it (the atonement) it has an effect in our lives, not just to heal us but to make us better, this life is about becoming a saint (MSH 3:19), its about becoming like god and we cant do it ourselves, but as we obey gods commandments, we live worthy of his help from his sons atonement, it moves us from bad to good, good to better, better to best, and best to saint. Thats what we need to be, Mosiah says its not really an option to become a saint through the atonement, so when we understand that concept it sheds a whole new light on the true importance of keeping the commandments with exactness. Its amazing. I grew so much. Study the talk by Elder Bednar about the Atonement, forom a BYU fireside in 2001, its amazing. 

Its been a good week, really good, im feeling healthy again, and ready to work hard this week, and get prepared spiritually for Mission Leaders Council in San Pablo, Im really excited for it. I know that when we prepare before our meetings, they become so much more enlightening and the spirit is there in so much greater abundance. Im excited to apply that principle to all my meetings, even weekly sacrament. 

Thanks for your Inspiration Happy Birthday Dad, I cant believe its December already, the time is flying! Ill see you guys next christmas :)

Love you all!

Elder Johnson 

Thanks guys 

DO i spy a Jammy Pack?

Its true, it has a humbling effect to it. Im glad you guys will read that, its amazing, apply it! let me know how it goes, 

The effects of the storm only get crazier, Elder hasnt heard too much about his extended family, if you watch in the Mormon newsroom there is an RM that lost 6 memebrs of his family, that was in Elders ward, he served as YM councelor with him, it was a little unsettling for him, but I think that one thing that we could do for him, its simple, but would be really meaningful is buy him a pairt of shoes, what he has is rubbers, he dosent have anything else.. we have MLC this week, I hope the debit card is there and I think it would mean alot, his family dosent have much to give.. theyve moved to manilla, they kind of left the broken life there in tacloban. 

WE got 16 of their missionaries, hopefully they can get back there before the end of their missions, but its kind of douybtful, its a wreck.