Week 78, July 7 - July 13, 2014

Oh Boy, What a week,

Its been another good one, just like they always are serving the Lord, we are really beginning to see the fruits of some of our efforts to rebuild here, the ward is meeting regularly, we are really trying to focus on teaching the ward leaders out of the red handbook and they seem to be embracing it, our Bishop, Bishop Paz is really a humble man who has the potential to be so great, but as a result of lack of support has gotten a little tired over the past year or so. The wards attendance has slipped, as well as the number of active priesthood, but we have really made it clear we are here to help and he seems to enjoy the support. The chapel is so large here, it was the 2nd one ever built here in the Philippines and we really are trying to lay out a vision with him for specific people we can focus on to really get the chapel full. We are really spending alot of time teaching our Ward mission Leader his responsibilities, many times missionaries, or people in general are really hard on their leaders or others in their life that they are dependent upon, they feel they are not doing their part, but what we've seen here in Calamba is that they don't function because they don't know what their part is. We are finding as we teach them, they function, A principle of the gospel that really resonated to me this week was that people can only act according to their knowledge, knowledge is essential and always has been, before the Lord gives priesthood keys to man he educates them, he teaches them clearly what they should and should not do, and outlines the expected behavior and the inescapable consequences for misconduct. The prophet trains the 12, the 12 train the seventy and the seventy strive to teach stake and ward leaders around the globe how to manage the affairs of gods kingdom, I realized that that is the same way everything should be run, if no one ever taught us that we had to first get a bowl before we made cereal, how succesful would we be at making that cereal? It really humbled me and made me think, before we ever think to be frustrated with anothers behavior, first ask yourself if you've done your best to teach them clearly all that they should do as, and we've seen this work, amidst our Ward Mission Leader's weaknesses, as he obtains this clear knowledge of what he should be doing, you can see gods hand helping him to reach out to members and get them to visits with us. Knowledge is valuable, and eternal, and Im thiankful that it will rise with us after this life.

On a funny note, 

We went to University of the Philippines Los Banos today, man that was really fun! They had a dairy farm, its the only real dairy i think i've had my whole 19 months now. so needless to say, when we saw that they had real chocolate milk we went a little crazy, we all drank so much, and it was so good, but now, about 3 hours later were facing a stomach that hasn't had milk in it for 19 months, it was like doing a triathlon at 300 ponds, it just wasnt fit enough for it, and i think it suffiseth to say were facing a small typhoon in each of our stomachs. Its a good thing there are 2 bathrooms in the apartment! woof..

Dad, I would love it so much if you would go to President Peterson's homecoming, there are alot of former missionaries going, I know he would love to see you and Mom

Mom, Man New York looks fun! Thanks for those Pics, everyone looked great with Max, it looks like he held it together, I remember I was crying at that point, but oh how fast the time goes as we serve him with all we have.

Max, Thanks for serving the Lord Elder, It means the world to me, your changing lives, theres so many ways that I wish I could be like you, you inspire me every day.

I heard a quote that whenever you get down on life, on yourself, about the work, think about your Mom, envision Moms room, and think of her kneeling down and praying for you, think about what she's asking for, and dont ever cheat her of any of the blessings she will receive as a result of your service. Your amazing, and I am so excited what the Lord will create out of the humble servant he has in you, let him in, and he'll do it.

I love the mission, I love Calamba, as i've prayed for it the lord has blessed the ward and each member with a special place in my heart, and I know that as we keep chipping away, were going to see big things happening, The Lord is behind us, he always has been and he always will be. 

I love you all so much,

Hurrah for Israel!

Elder Johnson

Week 77, June 30 - July 6, 2014

Hey Maxx,

So you'll soon bare the name Elder Johnson, pretty exciting right? dont be nervous, I know you were called to Taiwan for a reason, there are many souls who are waiting for you there, whether it be some Taiwanese family or a companion who's struggling there are others who need your light, they need your happiness, they need all those amazing attributes you have that make you the amazing person you are and I know that those are the things that will enable you to be a powerful servant of the Lord. As you teach the gospel remember the plainness of it. Its so simple, Jesus Christ performed his everlasting atonement, many know that, many don't, but even as others come to a knowledge of Jesus Christ and his atonement, even if that knowledge is perfect, the knowledge can do them no good if they don't apply the proper action and principles found in the restored gospel of Jesus Christ to their lives.They cannot nor will they ever in this life or the next, feel the power of the atonement in their lives unless they accept with their whole hearts the ordinance of Baptism, receive the gift of the Holy Ghost and endure faithfully to the end of their lives following the example set for us by our savior, and that proper knowledge of how we can apply the atonement is what you bare, the mission might not be everything you expect, but regardless of what you face you never forget that, connect people with the atonement through this knowledge which you bare, it helps us attain perfection. I bare my testimony that this is true, I bare testimony that you will come to know its true over the life changing experience you'll have the next 2 years, God loves you, he's blessed us with our family, I feel blessed to be your brother and your friend, you can call me with anything you need, 

I love you forever and ever

Elder Johnson

Week 76, June 23 - June 29, 2014

Familly,

Oh boy, what a week, There's not too much to write about as Elder Farley's back problems flared up again, before the mission he broke his back twice! Its really a miracle he's still alive and ready to serve, but he pinched a nerve in his back on Tuesday and was bedridden until Thursday, But it was really amazing to see how the Lord blessed us in the few days Elder Farley was healthy to really reach those souls that he needed to be reached this week. 

First there was the Lopez Family, Nanay Lopez is a less active who had a dream that she should come back to church, she's 82 years old, but because of that experience after 20 years of being less active she made the walk to church last sunday, We didnt know who she was, or where she lived, but we said we would love to come visit her, Friday as we were walking around, we heard a shout, and we looked left to see her there at her front gate, she let us in to her humble home, and introduced us to her family, We invited them to the Lesson and really got to know them, and it turns out they are not yet members, amidst the quaking of their family of pet ducks and the crow of the 3 roosters they have they felt the spirit as we taught them about the temple, They came to church yesterday and were really looking forward to good things happening there for that family. The second was our favorite investigator, Harry, He is the caretaker of a private resort, and if you looked at him with his lazy eye and outfit of an "I love new york" tank top, flip flops with holes in the soles, and basketball shorts you wouldnt think that hes the caring father of 5, a former chess champion at the University of the Philippines, a former baptist preacher and fluent enough to understand Isaiah in english, but he is, and he has some of the most intelligent questions i've ever heard, each discussion he grows more and more, he cant get enough of the book of Mormon, he wants to study the life of Joseph Smith, and as we teach him the basic principle of the gospel I can see the spirit working in his life. His mind is open, as well as his heart, and he dosent take these things lightly, he recognizes were talking about salvation, and itrs a really big deal to him. He's progressing well, and we grow to love him more each time we meet.

President Peterson is gone! I feel a part of me left as well, but I know President Mangum holds those same keys, and they come from Jesus Christ, and my love for Jesus Christ is something that will never change, Im excited to meet President and his Wife, People change, but the work continues to roll forth, Im blessed to be a part of it.

I love you all!

Elder Johnson

Hey there max, I read your e-mail

1, Don't be nervous, your going to do exactly what the Lord needs you to do in your mission if you go in with an attitude like you have, 

2, The MTC is inspired of god, its a way to help you catch your breath a bit, Im afraid that theres no way to learn beforehand, or replace the things you'll learn there, its a great experience, 

3, This week as the temptations and doubts come down on you, learn to pray, not just a regular prayer, but try this week to plan for your prayers, think about what you will pray for, and be ready to let the spirit guide you in that prayer, prepare for the prayer, invite the spirit by singin a hymn, or reading a scripture, pick a place to pray and mae sure its quiet, do it at a time in the day that your most alert and ready to focus on that prayer,  thank the lord specifically for those who have blessed your life and how they have blessed you, try to match your will with his and I know you'll feel his presence more in your life, This is something i've learned on the mission, to really plead with god, it might take more than 5 minutes, it may take up to 20 or 30, but its how god can speak peace to our souls, and its how we can recceive the revelation he wants to give us each day. Take strength from those prayers. 

4, Go to the temple, and use that spirit you've felt during your prayer to open up your mind to the true meaning of the covenants you made there, Memorize those covenants and when those doubts come, repeat the words of those covenants to yourself, and as you do, recommit yourself to live accordingly, as you do, you'll  feel the true power of the endowment as it reminds you of your eternal nature, potential, and purpose in this life.

I know you can do it, the spirit cant reside in a mind tossed about with doubt, so relax, and I know you'll be able to feel the prayers of those all over the world lifting you up. 

Be happy,

I love you

Thanks for serving the Lord, it means the world to me.

Elder Johnson

Week 75, June 16 - June 22, 2014

Hey,

So it was a great week, The last week of President Petersons stay here in San Pablo mission, The work is going well here in Calamba, Its a challenge to rebuild, but were seeing the Lords hand as he's really prepared peole to listen and as he's really prepared members hearts to see how willing wereally are to work with them. 

We had a really great experience at a member visit this week, were really working through all the auxillaries, and trying hard to get things moving, we met with the second counselor and his family. Earlier that day we had talked about how as we listen to people and their concerns, the spirit works through ideas , just simple thoughts, and that's what we need to respond to and teach. We set a goal to apply it, and Elder Farley did just that. The lesson was really going well, we had asked some really great discussion questions and gotten alot of great ideas going, but there still seemed to be some hesitation or shyness that was holding them back. After a quiet moment I looked to Elder Farley and I could tell he was trying to go to heaven, and he did, it clicked, and he went with his spiritual prompting, he shared of his own experience as a missionary and how for a time in his life, loving people was a hard thing to do, but he spoke of the change he's had and the love he's developed for people and how as we really love them, the urge to share the gospel comes easily. He said that if we know that we can have that eternal happiness within our famlys that it wopuld be selfish to not share that with others, we expressed our love for the family that they have and the spirit we felt in their home and closed, The wife of the second councilor said the closing prayer, as she moved along in the prayer, we really felt the spirit come in, she asked god through tears to give her family the courage and love to overcome selfishness and share the gospel with their neighbors. Afterwards she thanked Elder Farley for what he had said, we came out of that house rejoicing, I said, Elder Farley, "has that ever happened to you before?" he said, "no, that was the first time", I asked if the 4 hours prior to the visit, in the hot sun, the waking up on time and the obedience that we were striving for were worth it for the feeling we had then, he responded that anything we had to do would be worth it to be able to help someone like we were able to do, through the spirit. 

God works through us, teaching a principle simply and based off of a spiritual prompting can answer a prayer, it can change a life, We all know the gospel, so when faced with a problem, before you turn to a best selling authors novel, turn to your scriptures, our first source in seeking to guide others should be found in the gospel, and the Lord will direct you to what they need.

President Peterson will be home on the 29th, He drove up yesterday surprisingly, and took us to Burger King, I know he is busy, he goes home in a week, there are alot of places he could be, so I asked why, after a quiet moment he looked at me and said "Elder I came today because I want to be with you and I'll miss you more than you know." He's a special man a man with a presence of the spirit always just like the Holy Ghost he wants to be in the presence of those who he feels comfortable with, and It made me think of the way in which I need to continue to live my life, to have someone like that as well as the Holy Ghost, always want to be with me, to be in my presence, to eat with, to talk with and to give up his time to be with me. I know that as we put the gospel first in our lives, with a heart full of obedience that we'll be living in a way that allows him to be with us.

Im gonna miss President, I'm excited to see the changes in the coming weeks with the change of leadership, but I know that The Keys are what counts, the keys which president peterson has and the President Mangum will receive come from Jesus Christ, We just have to learn to trust them. 

I love you

I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ,

Elder Johnson

The new mission President is President Mangum He is the CEO of Nuskin I think.. 

Elder Farley is doing so well! I love him as a companion, I learn alot, he's still adjusting to everything, especially the physical demands of the work, but were doing really good things here in Calamba.

Whens the farewell? whos coming? Im so excited for max!

Week 74, June 9 - June 15, 2014

Oh Boy! Happy Fathers Day!

How are you guys, Im glad you had such a good time in Disneyland, It looks like quite the crew you got there, You all look really ready for some disco skating, That'll be a sweet moment to get back and do that again, but meanwhile were doing great here in Calamba.

Quick update on Calamba, its a very very large city, its almost like Manila, We have a burger king here, and a dairy queen, the only one in San Pablo mission, Its the birthplace of Jose Rizal the national hero of the Phils. and the capital of the fruit called rambutan (look it up) here in the Phils.

It has been a really great week, there were many meetings, many learning experiences, alot of tears shed, and alot of steady growth that has really occurred here in Calamba over the past few days. Elder Farley is doing great, Im really blessed to have him as a companion, I learn things each day, we've been going around trying to heal the relationship of the members and missionaries here, I feel that there are alot of neglected fruits here in Calamba that just need to be taught, the members seem to have been waiting for that right time to give them. Im really excited and the Members are really excited that there are 4 elders here who are ready to work. They seem very supportive, and very excited about the work. From the work shop the Zone Leaders gave on saturday in Stake conference, from our talk last sunday in ward council, and our individual visits to Members homes, the ward really seems to be mobilizing. Each day is filled with hope, I know its a slow process to rebuild, we are excited for the week ahead, As we sit down and plan, and talk, as we practice teach and learn from the 12 week, I honestly can feel that we are filling our wells, the members said that they can see a light in Elder Farley that wasnt there before, He's progressing, and his love for the people and his savior is really showing through, Its really something special to watch.

We had Zone Conference on Wednesday, It was really something special. It was the last time that President and Sister will speak to us, so they chose something very close to their hearts, the doctrine of families. They talked for about 45 minutes about the importance of families. We talked about eternal progression and how our families contribute, we talked about the family, a proclamation to the world, we talked about the new and everlasting covenant, and for the last 20 minutes they opened it up to a question and answer, we learned about how to be a faithful spouse, we learned the proper way to court, we learned about how to build your self, your family and your marriage on a foundation of Christ. President shared about a turning point in their marriage, a trial in which Sister proved to be the rock of the family, he spoke of the covenant of everlasting marriage and how it truly enables us to love someone and continue to love them, to continue to learn from them not only for 40 years, but fror 400, or 4 million, and on and on into the eternities, We are all changing beings, we grow, and there is always more that you can learn from a person, and as we look for the good in each of us, especially our eternal companion, there's new things you can learn, there's continued excitement, each and every day, there's continual growth, each and everyday, and as you learn from someone, you love them more. He said when he married sister Peterson, her father asked what he had, hes asked about things temporally, such as a job and a car, but president said that his response to the question what do you have for my daughter was simple and two fold, He said 1, we have the temple, and 2 we have each other, and that's all you need, It made me want to have that, I thought of the Petersons, I thought of my parents, and I thought of the truly eternal nature of the family, and I saw it, I saw fatherhood, and I saw the family I wanted to have, and I made a deal with myself that I was never going to do anything that would keep that from happening. Family life, is an inspiring vision, and a very worthy goal. 

After the afternoon session of the conference The sisters that I came in with, that will be going home this month bore their testimonies, it was amazing to see the growth which has happened in each of them. After that The spirit was ther, and President and Sister bore their final testimonies to us, There wasnt a dry eye, the spirit was there in great abundance, After that they wanted one final hug from everyone. I wanted to go first to just get it over with, but I was the pianist, so I was stuck behind the piano crying as we watched each person hug those two for the last time her in the mission. Whe it came to the end and it was my turn, I thought I had myself together, but as I approached sister, I lost it again, the tears and sobs were flowing, "I love you she said" and I knew that she meant it. I then hugged President, his only reply was, "come home with us, theres a mission in Gilbert, you can just finish there", we laughed through the tears " thanks for making this so special" he added, and I made my exit and tried to get ahold of myself. 

Im thankful for parents, fathers especially on this day, and father figures, thats what President was, and thats what my father is, On the mission you start to realize the sacrifice that parents give, and it hurts you to part from them, But as I thought about it, Its just a small glimpse into the divine and unfailing love our Savior and Father in Heaven have for each of us. I love you dad, 

I love you all

Have a great week,

Elder Johnson

I drank dads root beer for fathers day!

In love you all

I gotta go we'll talk next week! 

Elder Johnson

Week 73, June 2 - June 8, 2014*

Hey there! Im on! Get me an update! I was transfered to Calamba Laguna! Its beautiful!

Hey Family, Well its a new transfer, a new place, a new start, and a new companion, Meet Elder Farley, he's from Bountiful Utah, hes 21, and he's really excited to be out on a mission, he's been here 6 weeks, but Im restarting his training as a result of some pretty ugly things that have happened to him the past with his true father, Lets just say its a really good thing he dosent want to go home as a result of the experience hes had thus far in the mission, but were headed in a good direction now. Im here in Calamba 1st ward. Our chapel is really old, it was the 2nd or 3rd one built here in the Phils. The work is slow, were reopening, but as we met with the leaders things were filled with hope. I can feel the changes that are bound to happen here, the members said there was a different spirit with us that there has been in the past, and were excited to capitialize on it. Elder Farley is really really excited to work, and that makes the job of helping him so much easier.

It was really hard to leave Lemery, There has been some massive changes there in my time, and I felt so blessed as the call gave me a chance to reflect on the changes and blessings we've seen as well as the many many things ive learned.I packed my bags and went to the mission home thursday. President wanted to talk to me about some things, as I walked into his office, and sat down and talked with him we had the chance to reflect on the past year and a half.  He thanked me for taking everything he had taught me and changing. He thanked me for my service the past 9 and a half months as a Leader for him, he hoped that i'd learned some things, we talked about the assignment and trials which lay a head, we talked about Elder Farley and how we could help him, he said he's see me when I came home, and that he really wanted to make it to my homecoming, and then he closed, we shared a moment of silence after the hand shake, and then I asked for a hug, as we embraced he said thank you, with tears in his eyes, he was quiet for a moment and said through tears you know Elder one day Im going to meet your parents, and when I do Im gonna tell them how it is, then he added, they dont even know the half of it. I've wondered often how I would know if the service i've performed was pleasing to the Lord, and I can testify that the Lord testifies to us in quiet moments that he is in deed pleased with us just as he did with me as I heard that man that Iove so much say those words to me. After he said that, I lost it, and we enjoyed a few good moments together sobbing. As I walked out of the office trying to hide the tears I was wrapped in a big hug by Sister Peterson, It was a good day, it filled me with hope and inspired me to do better than before, Often the Lord places us in our missions not only for the people we can help, but for the things we can learn from those who serve with us, Ive learned many things, and Im so grateful for the Petersons.

The work is great, God is good, 

Love you all

Elder Johnson

Week 72, May 26 - June 1, 2014*

Hey family, 

Man it was a great week, we really really worked as hard as we could and up to this point are still completely exhausted. The week started with a meeting with Elder Craig C. Christensen of the 70 in San Pablo, we knew it would be quite the experience to hear from him and feel of that spirit he has in such a personal setting, so we woke up at 3 AM and left on the bus at 4AM , we arrived on time for the 9 AM meeting, and man was it worth it. We really had tried to exercise more virtue in our thoughts, and actions in the days prior to the meeting and the Lord really blessed us for it. I felt that I was being lifted up off of my chair as he spoke for only 20 minutes on the concept of prayer, I have never felt more information and visions of application flow more freely into my mind than they did at that time, My prayers have improved so much in the past week, I've felt closer than ever to my father in heaven. He said that the trick is to learn to pray for what god wants you to pray for, to think about what you should pray and be ready to yield to spiritual promptings in that prayer, its almost a matching game, to match our prayer and will to gods, and then we see that the answers come, He said that its not an easy process, its a wrestle, its work to seek for the Lords hand in matters of great significance, but it is possible to receive revelation for anything that we face in this life. 

We were so excited after that meeting we went out with more faith that we have ever had and really gave it our all, we are experiencing many blessings in the area, the Lords hand is definitely here, many new investigators and part member families are coming out of the woodwork, there are people attending church, there are a whole lot of baptisms scheduled for the next few weeks, and the changes we see both in people and in the area fill my heart with joy. 

This work is true, I love it and I love you

Elder Johnson

You all sound great!

We had a Zone p-day today at the big catholic church, so I wasnt able to e-mail you

Max, school is almost out thats great! God has so much more in store for us after highschool I promise!

Tuck, that magic act sounds pretty sweet! Im so excited to see when I get home..

Bailee, Keep having fun in that movie, It looks pretty intense! 

Aimee, I hope your well! Have fun at disneyland!

Coop, stay cool, Thanks for your email last week! Hows soccer? 

Maximo! Im so glad your back in our house! Hopefully I get the chance to meet you, keep reading that Book of Mormon! 

Its transfer week this week, we'll see how it all pans out..

Love you

Elder Johnson