Week 67, April 21 - April 27, 2014

Hey Family

The week went great, its getting hotter and hotter each day. 93.5 last night in our room, but the work is still moving right along, we see miracles each day. 

I think the biggest miracle we saw this week is with our 2 favorite investigators sister Joy and sister Vilma. They really really enjoy church, they are extremely smart. but their knowledge has kept them from really humbling themselves, getting on their knees and asking god if these things are true. We had a really great lesson on Tuesday, and when we came back, sister Vilma had done it. She felt it, and she read all of 1st Nephi as a result, but sister Joy, she didn't seem to get it, she hadn't put these things first in her life yet, so we challenged her again, we came back Saturday night and she still didnt seem sure, we invited them to church and they came again, they've come quite often, and seem to enjoy it, they went to general conference, everything seems to make sense in their heads, but Joy was still lacking that witness from god that these things are true. Yesterday in our gospel principles class we discussed faith in Jesus Christ. It was a really great lesson on how every action we take in this life reflects our faith in god, and the blessings promised from righteous living. The spirit was there, and we had sister Joy say the prayer in the end. She began and then stopped, we waited with our heads bowed and heard her through tears ask god clearly if these things are true, she asked for forgiveness for her sins, and committed herself within her prayer to strive to do what was pleasing to him. It was a very special moment to see this individual make such a step, to humble herself enough to ask and I know that she now knows from no other power but god of the truthfulness of these things. 

We tracted alot this week and found many more souls that the Lord has prepared, I know hes prepared them in all of our lives, there are people waiting to hear these things, and I know that the work will continue until everyone has heard it, We have Lances Baptism coming up on the 17th. and Joy and Vilma we hope on the 24th. There is so much good happening in a place that 12 weeks ago hadnt experienced a baptism in a year and a half. Its amazing what the Lord can help you become as you make yourself something he can work with. Im thankful for the growth we've seen. 

Love you all

Elder Johnson

Wow, thats sad about brother christofferson, he left a great legacy.. He'll be missed, I hope Elder Christofferson is alright. 

Good job tuck! Thats awesome, 

Those scooters look pretty heavy duty, everyone looks great in the videos! I cant wait to see that picture of tucker and his lady!

Wow, time flies! Well thanks for the videos and your love, I can only hope to reciprocate it to others that I serve here! 

I love you all

Till next week

Elder Johnson

Batangas boyz.

fishing boats and the sunset,

Manny paquiao came to church!

Week 66, April 14 - April 20, 2014

Hey family, 

1) Happy Birthday Tucker! Its tomorrow here, but its still pretty far away for you, I'll celebrate it in my mind and heart!

2) The week went well, it was Holy Week here in the Phils and the processions of those whipping themselves and the insane amount of people who were outof town made the work a little bit rough, It was literally a ghost town the past few days, but it gave us a chance to talk to alot of new people and find some new people on thew Lost Member list. 

3) I got my first cocroach bite, (if you can see on the pictures, it kind of looks like I got punched in the eye) it was an expereince, but the swelling has gone down, and its all good now.

4) We had really really good Zone interviews. An interview with a man like president is always too short.

5)  Its transfer week, we'll see what happens! 

6) The lord has really been working in the lives of our investigators, there has been a real focus in the mission of getting investigators ready to endure to the end before their baptism, and we've really been focusing on that, there are new standards for baptism here in the Phils. and president really stressed that each investigator needs to meet every requirement in full before baptism, there was some murmuring among other missionaries, but there's on thing I learned this week as I studied priesthood keys and though back to the opportunity I had to talk with Elder Nielsen of the seventy. He told me that there is one thing that is on every seventys mind, don't dissapoint the keys. As a missionary of a man who holds keys, that is my job to not dissapoint the keys, not because the man who holds them, but because of our savior where the keys come from, Its been a slower process, but I know its what god needs us to do having come from men who hold the authority to tell us. Just as when im at home I am loyal to the things an Elders Quorm President instructs, not because of him, but because the keys he hold that come from Jesus Christ. Loyalty is a huge thing to our father in heaven.

The mission is great!

I love it!

Elder johnson

Congrats Bailee! Yea, its the power of con bro chill, 

I got my camera, i was able to hagle for it, it was a really nice camera 16MPX for less than 100 bucks, we had a good macdonalds meal, food for the rich here, with wome of the other money., Thanks a ton!

Ha, yea, it felt like I got punched hard in the eye! It was swollen and tender, the bite was on my eyebrow, it swelled up the most, but its gone now

The standards are really a great thing, if we teach a member of the family there has to be the father present, which makes scheduling a little difficult, then there are certain reading requirements, live the word of wisdom for more than 4 weeks without a relapse, and they need to pay fast offerings and truly understand tithing before baptism, things like that, just giving them a better understanding of what their coming in to, and helping them to see if they want to make that big of a change, if they want to commit to as big of a change as it truly is. Its really inspired, It'll help alot!

Everyone looks good! The yard looks great! Congrats on No more braces.. Thats good news! Its really crazy how fast time is going by, its almost may! Max is leaving soon!

Were in the middle of summer right now, May it starts to rain, the summer break here is April and May, they go back to school in June, It was 92 in the apartment last night haha, the fan feels more like a blowdryer 

My comp is downloading some videos for some lessons later on, proboably about 5 minutes or so left

The language will be rough for him, there are still things I dont understand completely in tagalog, but its amazing how the lord just sticks those words in your mouth, Its pretty fun to feel that

I got the video, you all sound great! I love you too, were taking off! 

Have fun, be safe

Elder Johnson

Week 65, April 7 - April 13, 2014

Hey family,

Our p-day was switched this week! 

We had quite a long week, from a Zone meeting last Wednesday, temperatures of 105 degrees again, to General conference, the closest location being a 2 hour van ride away, on Saturday and Sunday, then to our Zone Interviews on Monday, another 2 hour van ride away, and through it all god taught me a spiritual lesson, It made me think of the importance of a day of rest in every week, we were feeling it yesterday as we felt the 8 day week toll on our bodies, and it made me thankful for gods knowledge, he was the one who created these bodies we have, and he knows how important that day of rest is to it. The sabbath can be that day to recharge in things both spiritual and mental so long as we are prepared to let it do so, 

Im really grateful for conference, Its a pretty great thing here in the mission, its like a movie premiere, I honestly enjoyed every talk, They all had something that related one to another, I thing its amazing how god can get all his servants on the same page even without an assigned topic. My favorite talk was from ELder Scott, I self titled it, how to help others, it was the proven simple way to help others see their potential and change, the quote he said that I love so much was about when he decieded to change as a result of his grandmothers words. he says ichanged because "I knew she loved me, and I knew she loved the gospel" Its a simple thing but it impacted me, as others see that we love the lord and his gospel  with a true love, not only for others to see, it makes them think theres something there for them, and as that love is coupled with a love for that person you want to help change, that change happens.

Im excited to apply it with the Zone,  

The church is true, and I felt it again as I listed to the Brethren speak.

Love you all!

Elder Johnson

Hey guys, I hope your all well, I gotta go! I'm excited to read your report next week! 

I love you all so much and I love my savior Jesus Christ, I was moved to tears this morning as I saw this video (http://easter.mormon.org/?cid=HPTU041514694) , I know he lives and I know that all of us have that chance as a result of his sacrifice. He is my reedemer and my friend.

Happy easter,

Love Elder Johnson

Week 64, March 31 - April 6, 2014**

Hey family, Im glad your all well!

Mom i'm not sure what my favorite talk was yet., we get to watch it this coming saturday and sunday, were ahead so the times a little off, That sounds like a pretty great story about Kyle. I know the gospel is just what he needs, I would love to see the video clip of bailee, I feel that that would be alright, Its going to be a family staple for years to come! Im excited for tucker and cooper, I cant wait to watch them next year! 

The week went well, it was SOO hot, 105 again, full humidity, I think im 2 shades darker, but its alright because the Lord is blessing us with all sorts of new investigators to teach. Were really trying to focus on less active members as well, theres about 700 on the MLS list here, I think ive only met about 140, they sent us on a new quest this past week as missionaries, it is our duty to find the lost members, there is a whole list of members that are "lost"here in Lemery, and its actually been a really good thing to find part member families as well as others who are prepared, as we walk through the narrow streets asking whoever we see if they know any of these names. Many of them are dead or have moved, and it can be a little discouraging as we walk and get to the house of a former member who died about 10 years ago, but the best is when you find that member who thought the church had forgotten about them, and see their eyes light up as they remember the teachings of the gospel. 

Time is flying, were excited to see some of these people god has blessed us with come into the waters of baptism over the next few weeks!

Yea the church is pretty unorganized, weve made huge strides here in the Phils, but its not established fully yet, its a developing country,and its hard to get those leaders who really understand everything they need to be doing. so conversion is easy, baptism is easy but retention is one of the worst in the world..

Were painting the YM presidents house, ~(the color schemes here i the phils are a little different) his father and mother are non members, and we got the chance to start teaching them through service! 

Week 63, March 24 - March 30, 2014

Bailee won an award last night. She won the Best Actress Under 18 Years Old at the Filmed in Utah Awards last night. She won for her role in The Hanging  Tree. Did you ever see that?

Bailee and Aimee went to women’s conference with Mom yesterday.

Tucker went to  Con Bro Chill concert.

Wow,

What a week for you guys! Thats pretty crazy, Everyone seems so busy! Im glad you guys are all well! DO you guys have a copy of that video from bailees student council gig? I would love to see it :)

The week went really really good for us,

The weather has made a turn for the worst, Its 105 degrees here in Lemery with full humidity, president claims its the hottest place in the San Pablo mission, its the kind of heat where you get a tan line of your tie through your shirt, but Im loving it! we had Zone Conference, It went well, President Peterson is sick, he actually is in the hospital in Manilla right now and wasn't able to teach at Zone can, but were praying for him. The heat has actually been a good thing, its helped us gain the trust of the members as they see that were ready to brave it! 

The AP's came on splits again, Elder Boyd from Hillcrest (who actually went to a dance with Elle Vawdery) worked with me, I actually went on my first exchanges on the mission with him, and it was amazing to see the changes in both of us, were so much better as teachers, and the growth in each person we taught was great to see. The work is looking up here in Lemery, people are progressing, the members are working, and we can really see the hastening begin. 

Im so excited for conference! were working to prepare spiritually for it, 

The cultural joys of this week came as the heat did, as the heat rises, people do all they can to just stay cool, and its not too rare to see a large shirtless man sitting in a kiddie pool next to his water tap. It actually has made for some great opportunities to try and share the gospel as they really cant leave. 

I love the Philippines, and i feel so bblessed for those god has blessed us with to teach here in Lemery, Things are looking up :) 

Yea, that sounds great, once I get the camera situation resolved, ill open up the Drop box account :) Ill try the card again in 48 hrs I got some pics coming from Elder Merrills camera in a few minutes..

That Con Bro Chill thing was great .. She'll get it for sure..Its hilarious :)

. was the Ordination tonight? thats crazyto think about! will he attend elders quorm until he leaves?

Yes he will be in elders quorum starting next week!  So weird... So fast.

I worry about Bailee's chances because she's new to the school and not a lot if people know her. But she wanted to try and I admire her courage

Yea, thats great, just get the name out there, and the video will be a family classic for years and years :)

That's so true:) if noting more, a great video keepsake. You sound do good zach. Are you? I love how much you love the Philippine people. I would love to come out and see it when you've completed your mission...

I hope you can! That would be great.. Im sending some pics right now.. I would love to hear maxs thoughts on the ordination!

Zach he fell asleep he is so exhausted. I will tell him you'd like to know about that. You know max, he'll love to share that with you! He was emotional and was very happy to learn that he can give blessings now. You'd be very proud of your brother and the young man he's become. He reminds me of a boy just two years older than him who is quite amazing himself;)

Yea, im excited to see him in just a few short years.. It goes so fast! Thanks so much for all you've done to help everyone to become, Its actually a very rare thing to have a family as strongly centered on the gospel as I know each of us are as brothers and sisters. The Johnson family is pretty amazing, and I sit back and im just thankful to be a part of it!

Oh my I think I'll cry. We are the lucky ones zach... To see our son become the man you've become is the greatest blessing we could ask for on this earth.

Well Im just glad we'll be able to become all we can together not just here, but in the eternities!

I gotta go! 

Love you all so much :)

Elder Johnson

Week 62, March 17 - 23, 2014

Hey family!

Man I thought I wouldn't be able to send anything to you this week, The e-mail was having trouble! But I hope your all well,

It has once again been a week full of changes, Elder Pangilinan is no longer my companion, my companion is Elder Merrill. Elder Pangilinan was called on Wednesday morning to report to the mission home, he went back Tacloban, It was pretty sad to say goodbye, especially after all the successes we shared, but Im excited to be here with Elder Merrill, It really has been different to be in an all american companionship, It makes the members so important, everything is so foreign with 2 foreigners, but that member with us is what makes it a little bit more relatable.

Things are looking up, we got a new Ward Mission Leader, theres more excitement about the work each week, and weve got 5 baptisms lined up for April 13, MJ, Ika, and Adrian Vergara, and Joy and Vilma, the lord is really blessing this area, and were seeing it progress like never before,

Thanks for your prayers!

He's (Elder Merrill) is from Idaho, I was his Zone Leader In Lopez, so its been fun to talk about the good times there.

Week 61, March 10 - March 16, 2014

Im doing well, 

We have a baptism set up for this week, sunday the 16th, Bro Aldwin Pedida. He's a long time investigator, hes 18, and excited to enter into his covenant

We've really seen some amazing blessings come in to the area, whole families, that we've found that are excited to hear the message, 

9 people came to church, 

We had MLC this week, we had a really really inspiring meeting with some really really amazing insights from president about the sacrament, Me and Elder Pangilinan had the opportunity to teach president in practice teaching in front of everyone, but it was a really good experience, we had to teach the doctrine to help an investigator come to church, we really have developed a good teaching pattern and we just taught simply the plan of salvation, we taught simple truths about god and his plan for us to become like him and how this investigators attendance at sacrament meeting, is not a commandment to hold him down, but a tool to help him become. Everyone seemed to like it, its something the mission struggles with, teaching the plan of salvation, but its been a really fun experience to help other missionaries realize how simple it really is. The meeting ended, and then we traveled back, there was a really cool carnival with alot of people at our transfer point, and as we got on our second bus to get home, I noticed my pocket was open, and my camera was gone, It was stolen, and I was really really sad about it :(. Luckily I haven't withdrawn any of the money that you guys sent, so that's kind of big blow to the emotions and the budget, but its ok, I bet the amount of money they sold the camera for will feed that family for month.  

So as a result, there are no pictures to send this week :(

We keep working and the days go faster and faster, The effectiveness of our days is amazing and a blessing of consecration and obedience, and It makes me so excited to see these people change. 

The church is true,

Love you all

Elder Johnson

Yea, It'll come together, Im not worried, but that MHA seems really promising, It would be a really good chance to have a really good effect on the lives of many people. I think thats the route the Lords pointing me toward.

Well thanks for the advice, Im excited to face another week and help others see what they can become

Love You all, I gotta go

Elder Johnson