sounds like you have had a lot of fun. i actually mispelled my new companions name last week his name is elder Wingemann. he's an amzing guy. he's from Lindon, Utah.
this week was intersting. wensday was just tracting. we had no appointments that day and couldn't set anything up. so we knocked on quite a few doors that day. we found this one street that looked like you should have belonged out in Goochland. there was just a house and then a big space. but by the end it was fairly normal. it was werid anyways just being with Elder Neilson. he had a fairly embarrasing story this week. he called up a sister in the ward and it turns out she was converted by another elder neilson. he still calls her up everynow and then. the funny story is, that she thought it was the one who converted her. she asked, how's your baby. elder neilson said in a really confused voice, okay, i guess. it was pretty intersting.
on thursday we picked up Elder Wangemann, and he's pretty amazing. i'm glad to have him as my steptrainer. he's also has very good sense of humor.
on saturday we have been working with a member. it's a funny story, we had a lesson with him to pray about finding missionary oppritunties. the next day he gets a call from jehovah witness's missionaries. so he has been taking lesson's from them and is trying to introduce them to the gospel. he's invited us over a couple of times. we've gone twice now, the first time we just sat there, and it was werid. this time we tried to teach them. we even handed out a Book of Mormon to them. it's been very intesting so far. unforunately he's just accepted a job offer and is moving outside our mission boundries. so who knows what might happen.
on sunday we had talks by former servicemen and it went very good. it was a very amazing sacrament meeting. i had a hard time staying awkae after that though. i slept really bad the night before and then slept bad again. so it wasn't very good. but i have slept fine ever since.
this week has been intersting to say the least, but i've enjoyed it. elder yelton i think is going to be around bountiful this week for a wedding. a former compaion is getting married in the bountiful temple. he made a comment about dropping by, but it sounded like he was joking around. so you may just have a visitor this week. my allegies have been doing better, i bought some pills to try and they've been doing pretty good. gas is about four dollars here at places. it's insane. sorry i wasn't able to send pitcures home last week, but i will try this week. so soon you will have some visual proof that i'm allright.
Elder Johnson
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
May 20, 2008
everythingt has been going well here, we haven't had any bad storms for a while. the pollen is starting to get me however. that heat doesn't sound fun, but i heard this summer it gets bad. humity goes up and summer heat. so i'm not to excited for that. elder yelton is leaving for the mission home today and he flies home tomorrow. i am also getting transfered. i'm going to Innercity richmond. from what i've heard it's very scary at night but it's supposed to be amazing. it's the most coveted area in the mission and it's been having alot of sucess there. i have alos heard there's been some murders there lately. just kidding, i'm staying here. but we recived transfer call yesterday. so thursday, me and elder Neilson will pick up our new companion. his name is elder wingson or something like that.
thats cool that jill got to see Andrei kirlenko. that's cool. one friday we had to go on exhanges with the zone leaders, so i got to see intercity richmond. the main road there is called moneument ave, mostly because there are many statues there, like general lee. so we were will elder ord, not elder ford. elder yelton stayed there and we stayed here at gayton. so it was a very intersting experince, elder ord was amazing. we also had dinner that night and it was good. we get to his street and it turns out we didn't have his address. we see some kids and roll down the window, and one of them told us were itb was, turns out it was there son. his firneds were screaming at him saying get away, it's church people. so it was a little werid. he explained later that his friends think missionaries are spies for the church. the diiner was great and we had a good lesson.
then i went on exhanges the next day and went to Louisa again. it was pretty fun. it's very country and they live in a members home. i also found out they they to donot have a church building, so they hold it at the high school. that was a very foriegn idea to me.
on sunday we had a meeting with Jack again. it was more of an interview you could say. he just asked elder yelton many questions and it was mostly his testimony. jack is a very amazing guy. he knows we have amde a differnce in his life and he feels the spirit, he just doesn't gain the spiritual apsect of it. but he very nice, he even gave us a very delicous chocolate pie. so it was good experince.
a few weeks ago we were looking up a less active member and we met someone else, who had just moved in with him. he speaks french, and creole, but he's not very good at english, and he wants to know english. so we have been working with him, trying to teach him english. so that's been an expeince. he is also a memeber as well. then we had a dinner appointment with a some non members. they are very nice. they have a son who converted to the church, and is on a mission in urguway. so she is always happy to see us, and any other missionaries. we think one day they are going to join.
everything has been going great here. yesterday we gave some cd's to memeber and he burned some copies. so if you would like, could you please send me my cd player. i already have some speakers. but other than that everything. i'll try to send some pitcures home this week as well.
elder Johnson
thats cool that jill got to see Andrei kirlenko. that's cool. one friday we had to go on exhanges with the zone leaders, so i got to see intercity richmond. the main road there is called moneument ave, mostly because there are many statues there, like general lee. so we were will elder ord, not elder ford. elder yelton stayed there and we stayed here at gayton. so it was a very intersting experince, elder ord was amazing. we also had dinner that night and it was good. we get to his street and it turns out we didn't have his address. we see some kids and roll down the window, and one of them told us were itb was, turns out it was there son. his firneds were screaming at him saying get away, it's church people. so it was a little werid. he explained later that his friends think missionaries are spies for the church. the diiner was great and we had a good lesson.
then i went on exhanges the next day and went to Louisa again. it was pretty fun. it's very country and they live in a members home. i also found out they they to donot have a church building, so they hold it at the high school. that was a very foriegn idea to me.
on sunday we had a meeting with Jack again. it was more of an interview you could say. he just asked elder yelton many questions and it was mostly his testimony. jack is a very amazing guy. he knows we have amde a differnce in his life and he feels the spirit, he just doesn't gain the spiritual apsect of it. but he very nice, he even gave us a very delicous chocolate pie. so it was good experince.
a few weeks ago we were looking up a less active member and we met someone else, who had just moved in with him. he speaks french, and creole, but he's not very good at english, and he wants to know english. so we have been working with him, trying to teach him english. so that's been an expeince. he is also a memeber as well. then we had a dinner appointment with a some non members. they are very nice. they have a son who converted to the church, and is on a mission in urguway. so she is always happy to see us, and any other missionaries. we think one day they are going to join.
everything has been going great here. yesterday we gave some cd's to memeber and he burned some copies. so if you would like, could you please send me my cd player. i already have some speakers. but other than that everything. i'll try to send some pitcures home this week as well.
elder Johnson
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
May 13, 2008
well this week has been going well here in Virginia. that's awesome that Spencer is going to Arizona. there a missionary from the Gayton ward(the ward were in) who is there. the girl we were going to baptize this saturday has decided to postpone it. she wants her grandpa to do it and he couldn't make it out here, or someone she wanted here would not. so she is going to be staying with them in the summer and will get baptized then. so it's good, just wont include us.
the bishops soon was baptized on sunday and there was no room in the inn(well the room the font was in). we ended up sitting outside and then after he was babtized, they had us teach the restoration. it went fairly well. then the bishop's wife invited us over for dinner. we had homemade fried chicken. it was good.
i have a funny story that happened last week. we were talking with a member and she asked if we could help her take some stuff over to her best friends house(not a member). we heard some sort of muttering behind the door. her friend answers it and it turns out her husband came to the door looked out the peephole and said in a panicked voice, "it's louise, and she brought the mormon's." we all thought it was funny.
we also had this meeting with a member in our ward who lives in the same apartment complex as us. it turns out he has the Jehovah witnesses coming to his door and trying to teach him. he's told us he going to try to convert them instead. he was missionary at one point and he's says the biggest difference between us and them, is we have the spirit when we teach, and they try to convince everyone through there bible, unlike us who ask everyone to pray and ask if it's true. a way he discribed it is black and white.
the program we had was four older sisters and they talked about there mothers and i believe all of them were converts. it was really amazing. i haven't told you this yet, but some intersting history for the chucrh in virginia is, that it was all started by two families, the powers, and the amos's. one of them had 21 kids and they all tned to live in the same place. i met the powers awhile back and there's this long street and most of them live on it.
on friday we were tratcing and we were not being very successful. i knock on a door and someone answers it. i then gained the impression to talk about the book of mormon, and it turns out he's very intested in studying about different religions and he had never heard of it before and he wanted to read it. it was amazing.
well that's all for this week and i think it would be fine for grandma to email me. i always have spare time waiting for everyone else. i laos just realized i forgot my camera so no pitcures this week. hoepfully i can next week.
Elder Johnson
the bishops soon was baptized on sunday and there was no room in the inn(well the room the font was in). we ended up sitting outside and then after he was babtized, they had us teach the restoration. it went fairly well. then the bishop's wife invited us over for dinner. we had homemade fried chicken. it was good.
i have a funny story that happened last week. we were talking with a member and she asked if we could help her take some stuff over to her best friends house(not a member). we heard some sort of muttering behind the door. her friend answers it and it turns out her husband came to the door looked out the peephole and said in a panicked voice, "it's louise, and she brought the mormon's." we all thought it was funny.
we also had this meeting with a member in our ward who lives in the same apartment complex as us. it turns out he has the Jehovah witnesses coming to his door and trying to teach him. he's told us he going to try to convert them instead. he was missionary at one point and he's says the biggest difference between us and them, is we have the spirit when we teach, and they try to convince everyone through there bible, unlike us who ask everyone to pray and ask if it's true. a way he discribed it is black and white.
the program we had was four older sisters and they talked about there mothers and i believe all of them were converts. it was really amazing. i haven't told you this yet, but some intersting history for the chucrh in virginia is, that it was all started by two families, the powers, and the amos's. one of them had 21 kids and they all tned to live in the same place. i met the powers awhile back and there's this long street and most of them live on it.
on friday we were tratcing and we were not being very successful. i knock on a door and someone answers it. i then gained the impression to talk about the book of mormon, and it turns out he's very intested in studying about different religions and he had never heard of it before and he wanted to read it. it was amazing.
well that's all for this week and i think it would be fine for grandma to email me. i always have spare time waiting for everyone else. i laos just realized i forgot my camera so no pitcures this week. hoepfully i can next week.
Elder Johnson
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
May 6, 2008
hey everyone
this week was amazing and i got it yesterday. so everything is fine. it sounds like i'll be calling sometime around 8:00 in the morning. (your time). tell Chad congradatulations on his call. how did Jill's test go? everything has been fine here. weathers been nice. it was so rainy that week. the missionary that was assualted was a spanish missionary, and i haven't heard much other than the person walked up to him and struck him. the good news is he's not going home, the bad news is, he has to stay inside for two weeks.
we have a had an amzing week here. we started a goal to get two babtisms by the end of this transfer. one sunday we taught a family with an unbaptized youth. we've been teaching her for a while and sunday invited her to be baptized. she wants to she's just not sure she will stay active, so she's nervous. before that this person came up and asked about if a child is over nine and not baptized, they need to have the lessons before theyv can be baptized. elder yelton said yes and said, that his daughter wants to be baptized, and was talking about sunday. so it may not work and it may, we don't know yet.
last friday we were going tracting on a road. i start up a driveway and heared someone yell get back here. i turn around and there's this black lab running towards us wanting to play. we ended up talking with her for a while. it was great. she's known quite a few members of the church but not exactly intersted, but it went effectively i think.
yesterday we went on echanges with the Louisa elders. so i went to Louisa county for the first time. it was very spread out there. buty nothing really intestring happened out there. i'm going to try sending home some pitcures soon. so far every meal i have had i've liked, except for two. the first night here, and a dinner we had last week. it was meatloaf, but everything else was good.
Elder yelton right now has been making alot of jokes about being trunky, he even wrote a poem about it. but he's still working hard and effectively and he wants to stay. one intersting story is that when he got out here, he found out he had a cousin live here. he never met them or anything. his first area he met them and he sent some sisters there later. they opened the door and said there not intertsed and then the sisters said, that Elder yelton sent them and they invited them in. last tuesday, his cousin called and said he had something important he wanted to tell him. he said, he wants to be baptized and wants him to baptize him. he feels like thats the reason he was sent here. it's a really cool story. we can see the Lord's work in so many places, and it's so amazing.
i can't remeber if i've told you about elder neilson or not. he is very allergic to pollen and he's a very nice guy. he's from Carey idaho. most maps from what i have heard don't have it. it's about two hours away from other civilization. elder yelton makes jokes saying that he just pitched a tent in the middle of nowhere and called it his home. his high school from the sounds of it is small. he said he graduated out of a class of eighteen.
well i'll talk with you this sunday. i can't think about much more to write. and thank you for all the letters i have recieved the past two weeks. the one from jacob was forwarded three times till it got to me, and the one from Aunt pam was nice as well. tell kim and Shawn congrats.
Elder Johnson
this week was amazing and i got it yesterday. so everything is fine. it sounds like i'll be calling sometime around 8:00 in the morning. (your time). tell Chad congradatulations on his call. how did Jill's test go? everything has been fine here. weathers been nice. it was so rainy that week. the missionary that was assualted was a spanish missionary, and i haven't heard much other than the person walked up to him and struck him. the good news is he's not going home, the bad news is, he has to stay inside for two weeks.
we have a had an amzing week here. we started a goal to get two babtisms by the end of this transfer. one sunday we taught a family with an unbaptized youth. we've been teaching her for a while and sunday invited her to be baptized. she wants to she's just not sure she will stay active, so she's nervous. before that this person came up and asked about if a child is over nine and not baptized, they need to have the lessons before theyv can be baptized. elder yelton said yes and said, that his daughter wants to be baptized, and was talking about sunday. so it may not work and it may, we don't know yet.
last friday we were going tracting on a road. i start up a driveway and heared someone yell get back here. i turn around and there's this black lab running towards us wanting to play. we ended up talking with her for a while. it was great. she's known quite a few members of the church but not exactly intersted, but it went effectively i think.
yesterday we went on echanges with the Louisa elders. so i went to Louisa county for the first time. it was very spread out there. buty nothing really intestring happened out there. i'm going to try sending home some pitcures soon. so far every meal i have had i've liked, except for two. the first night here, and a dinner we had last week. it was meatloaf, but everything else was good.
Elder yelton right now has been making alot of jokes about being trunky, he even wrote a poem about it. but he's still working hard and effectively and he wants to stay. one intersting story is that when he got out here, he found out he had a cousin live here. he never met them or anything. his first area he met them and he sent some sisters there later. they opened the door and said there not intertsed and then the sisters said, that Elder yelton sent them and they invited them in. last tuesday, his cousin called and said he had something important he wanted to tell him. he said, he wants to be baptized and wants him to baptize him. he feels like thats the reason he was sent here. it's a really cool story. we can see the Lord's work in so many places, and it's so amazing.
i can't remeber if i've told you about elder neilson or not. he is very allergic to pollen and he's a very nice guy. he's from Carey idaho. most maps from what i have heard don't have it. it's about two hours away from other civilization. elder yelton makes jokes saying that he just pitched a tent in the middle of nowhere and called it his home. his high school from the sounds of it is small. he said he graduated out of a class of eighteen.
well i'll talk with you this sunday. i can't think about much more to write. and thank you for all the letters i have recieved the past two weeks. the one from jacob was forwarded three times till it got to me, and the one from Aunt pam was nice as well. tell kim and Shawn congrats.
Elder Johnson
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
April 29, 2008
hey everyone.
i quess i don't need to tell you about the tornadoes. we heard about them last night, we just got drenched. luckily my coat is good in the rain, the water just runs off. however elder neilson got soaked and he was drenched. he was freezing. so that didn't make it very fun. we were out tracting in very heavy rain and we meet a really mean lady. no only did she not want to listen to us, she said, your getting wet, and slammed the door. but oh well, it's her agency.
we have ahd some problems lately though but some amazing referals. most of our appointments fall through and two of our investigators asked us to drop them. one of them is the one that was committed to being baptized, but we think she's being pushed away by outside forces. the other is really busy and he asked for a thrity day break. but he told us he has felt a change since he met us. so theres stillhope for both of them.
on saturday we did exhanges with some elders in Louisa, one of which is elder beames, my companion from the MTC. We went to Goochland, it's in our area but about thirty minutes away, so it doesn't get done very often, and started tracting. the second house we got to was an older lady and she was excited to see us. it's turns out that the missionaries came by about a year and hlaf ago and watched the Lamb of God with her. they gave her a copy of the Book of Mormon and never came back. she has read it and prayed about it. she knows it is true. we made a retrun appointment so well be heading by on mondya. then we came into a less active member and turns out she wants to come back it's just to far. she also has a brother, who is in intensive care. he had a brain annorism. he had surgery but it's still been very hard on her faimly. but what was amzing about it was that she just got there we arrived near her home. then she had to leave soon. it was an incredible experience.
we also recieved a referal gfor this lady, it's turns out she's not in our boundries, but the zone office wasn't sure. so we stopped by and she just said how much of a hard time she's been going through. she has tried to kill herself twice, and she has no income. she's in a bad mess and wants help, but can't find it. we can tell she's prepared.
sunday was amazing. we talked in church. i was the third speaker out of four. the last speaker was President Bria, the first cousilour in the mission presidency, and he was amazing. he told some amazing stories about missionary work. he talked about how he joined the church. he was in high shcool and a group a girls just kept saying hi to him. he had no idea who they were but somehow they knew him. he finnaly asks them and a girl invited him to seminary and wanted him to take her. he went the first day and did not want to go back. he ends up taking her and her firends to school and the whole day people were asking him how he got his car full of beautiful girls. well after school the girl he took to seminary asks him if he wants to go again. he said, the rest is history.
i heard another story about him from my companions. he went to France on his mission and they had a memebr of the first presdiency come. he said at France you were considered lucky to get one baptism your whole mission at france. but the general authority said, you ll can get one baptism each month, lack of appliciation is the only deturnant. (not sure if it's spelled right.) he amkes it his goal for the rest of the mission to do that. each companionship had intervies with him and he extends the goal to president Bria. he accepts his companion later tells him it can't happen. then they get called in again and he said, you can get two babtism each month. the first couple of months they had no baptisms but then he was praying in a park and a girl tapps him on the houlder and says she's been coming to church for a while and wants to be babtized. the next month he had two, then foyur, then 8. he had many babtisms there and i thought it was ana amazing story.
thats all i have for right now, but i was going to try getting a phone card,, but i quess you can send it to me, just let me know where to call if it turns out to be at grandmas. elder yelton will have it rough on mothers day though. he will call and then he goes home the next week. i also do need my birth certificate for my lisence. a copy will not work.
well thats it. no more probelms with emailing, i hope. (knock on wood.)
Elder Johnson
i quess i don't need to tell you about the tornadoes. we heard about them last night, we just got drenched. luckily my coat is good in the rain, the water just runs off. however elder neilson got soaked and he was drenched. he was freezing. so that didn't make it very fun. we were out tracting in very heavy rain and we meet a really mean lady. no only did she not want to listen to us, she said, your getting wet, and slammed the door. but oh well, it's her agency.
we have ahd some problems lately though but some amazing referals. most of our appointments fall through and two of our investigators asked us to drop them. one of them is the one that was committed to being baptized, but we think she's being pushed away by outside forces. the other is really busy and he asked for a thrity day break. but he told us he has felt a change since he met us. so theres stillhope for both of them.
on saturday we did exhanges with some elders in Louisa, one of which is elder beames, my companion from the MTC. We went to Goochland, it's in our area but about thirty minutes away, so it doesn't get done very often, and started tracting. the second house we got to was an older lady and she was excited to see us. it's turns out that the missionaries came by about a year and hlaf ago and watched the Lamb of God with her. they gave her a copy of the Book of Mormon and never came back. she has read it and prayed about it. she knows it is true. we made a retrun appointment so well be heading by on mondya. then we came into a less active member and turns out she wants to come back it's just to far. she also has a brother, who is in intensive care. he had a brain annorism. he had surgery but it's still been very hard on her faimly. but what was amzing about it was that she just got there we arrived near her home. then she had to leave soon. it was an incredible experience.
we also recieved a referal gfor this lady, it's turns out she's not in our boundries, but the zone office wasn't sure. so we stopped by and she just said how much of a hard time she's been going through. she has tried to kill herself twice, and she has no income. she's in a bad mess and wants help, but can't find it. we can tell she's prepared.
sunday was amazing. we talked in church. i was the third speaker out of four. the last speaker was President Bria, the first cousilour in the mission presidency, and he was amazing. he told some amazing stories about missionary work. he talked about how he joined the church. he was in high shcool and a group a girls just kept saying hi to him. he had no idea who they were but somehow they knew him. he finnaly asks them and a girl invited him to seminary and wanted him to take her. he went the first day and did not want to go back. he ends up taking her and her firends to school and the whole day people were asking him how he got his car full of beautiful girls. well after school the girl he took to seminary asks him if he wants to go again. he said, the rest is history.
i heard another story about him from my companions. he went to France on his mission and they had a memebr of the first presdiency come. he said at France you were considered lucky to get one baptism your whole mission at france. but the general authority said, you ll can get one baptism each month, lack of appliciation is the only deturnant. (not sure if it's spelled right.) he amkes it his goal for the rest of the mission to do that. each companionship had intervies with him and he extends the goal to president Bria. he accepts his companion later tells him it can't happen. then they get called in again and he said, you can get two babtism each month. the first couple of months they had no baptisms but then he was praying in a park and a girl tapps him on the houlder and says she's been coming to church for a while and wants to be babtized. the next month he had two, then foyur, then 8. he had many babtisms there and i thought it was ana amazing story.
thats all i have for right now, but i was going to try getting a phone card,, but i quess you can send it to me, just let me know where to call if it turns out to be at grandmas. elder yelton will have it rough on mothers day though. he will call and then he goes home the next week. i also do need my birth certificate for my lisence. a copy will not work.
well thats it. no more probelms with emailing, i hope. (knock on wood.)
Elder Johnson
Saturday, April 26, 2008
April 22, 2008
Dear Family,
Sorry, I'm not able to e-mail home today. They did not allow my companion's letter for a library card for proof that I live here, even though they allowed me to have a day pass last week. So I'm a little frustrated. So I have to write this time.
Well, this week has been amazing. We had many AMI's, which is a lesson to invite members to invite their friends into their home to teach them. It's very effective from what little I've seen. But basicly everything else fell through. Like Eloise, last week wanted to be baptized, now she has changed her mind. But the good news is she still wants the lessons. On Sunday, they held a program called the Mormon Chorale. It was amazing, it was about the Book of Mormon and how it's another testament of Christ. It was incredible.
It's been very rainy the past few days here. Yesterday we went tracting for a few hours in it. It was fun though. Elder Nielson been loving it, the pollen is no longer killing him. So far it hasn't been bugging me. Knock on wood.
Well I've really enjoyed it here so far. A lot of different faiths here. We ran into mostly Baptists, but also Presbyterians, Methodist, a Greek Orthodox, some Hindus, Jews, and Muslims. In fact on Sunday we talked with a member who converted last year from Islam and told us he a conversation with his father. His father doesn't like how he joined the church and how he betrayed Islam. But he said the church just built upon what he knew as a muslim. It was really interesting how he thinks all the different religions are actually stepping stones to prepare for this church. I'm also giving a talk on Sunday. So that's exciting news. Well that's all for today. Next week hopefully, I can type. No promises, though.
Elder Johnson
PS. What are gas prices like there? It's $3.50 in places, One day we drove by in the morning and that night it had gone up by 5 cents.
Sorry, I'm not able to e-mail home today. They did not allow my companion's letter for a library card for proof that I live here, even though they allowed me to have a day pass last week. So I'm a little frustrated. So I have to write this time.
Well, this week has been amazing. We had many AMI's, which is a lesson to invite members to invite their friends into their home to teach them. It's very effective from what little I've seen. But basicly everything else fell through. Like Eloise, last week wanted to be baptized, now she has changed her mind. But the good news is she still wants the lessons. On Sunday, they held a program called the Mormon Chorale. It was amazing, it was about the Book of Mormon and how it's another testament of Christ. It was incredible.
It's been very rainy the past few days here. Yesterday we went tracting for a few hours in it. It was fun though. Elder Nielson been loving it, the pollen is no longer killing him. So far it hasn't been bugging me. Knock on wood.
Well I've really enjoyed it here so far. A lot of different faiths here. We ran into mostly Baptists, but also Presbyterians, Methodist, a Greek Orthodox, some Hindus, Jews, and Muslims. In fact on Sunday we talked with a member who converted last year from Islam and told us he a conversation with his father. His father doesn't like how he joined the church and how he betrayed Islam. But he said the church just built upon what he knew as a muslim. It was really interesting how he thinks all the different religions are actually stepping stones to prepare for this church. I'm also giving a talk on Sunday. So that's exciting news. Well that's all for today. Next week hopefully, I can type. No promises, though.
Elder Johnson
PS. What are gas prices like there? It's $3.50 in places, One day we drove by in the morning and that night it had gone up by 5 cents.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
April 15, 2008
hey everyone,
it turns out that my p-day is actually on tuesday. so here i am. it is so amazing here. it is so green and yellow.(pollen) you can see it all over the car. so no i'm not in a bike area right now but its been great here so far. my companions name is Elder Yelton and Elder Neilson. Elder Yelton leaves in a month. he tells me he is very jealous. he is from Denver Colorado. my other companion is from idaho(i cant remember where). it been great here, the fisrt day the heat really got me but it's been fine since. i alsop have had two meals with members. one was a hispanic family and they were very nice. i liked the meal they had, chicken, rice, and salad. that was the second, the first was my first day here. it was an older sister, she was incredibly nice, the meal i'm still suprised it sayed down. it was sweet and sour macroni with meatballs, something that was supposed to be chicken, and canned fruit, all in a cassorale. it tasted much worse than it sounds, but i ate it. so be proud. there has been very many investigators were teeaching, so far evry lesson has fallen through sense i've been here but, i've meet most of them. one person's name is Jack. he is a retired lawyer, who is now selling realistate and cars. he is very friendly and is very intersted in the gospel. we also have been teaching a sister's friend in her home. her name is elouise and last saturday and her friend committed her to be baptized. she accepted. there another family that sounds very close to wanting to be baptized. it's been amazing here. oh yeah the area i'm in is called Gayton, it's still considered Richmond. it's just north of Richmond. i have also seen a Papa Johns here and i have also seen a Maggie Moo's. so it's got both my old jobs here. i'm really loving it here. the ward is very nice and many are trying to get friends intesrted in the gospel. my address here right now is
2532 Potomac Hunt Lane #1a
Richmond VA 23233
A few days ago we were tracting and turned out we were in a spanish area. so we had our jackets on and knocked on a door. we saw a light in a peephole and it goes dark and the lights turn off as we heard some scampering. so later we think they thought we were border patrol or something. we thought it was a little funny. we also served a nonmember on saturday. they had some friends who were members and asked if we could help them out. we filled up about thrity bags of leaves and rainign off and on. it started wehen we arrived but quit miost of the time we were working. she was very appreciative. she asked how many times we call home and we told her and she couldn't believe it. she said she would be praying that our mothers could handle it. she was very nice. so thats all that's really happened so far. i don't know if i need a phone card or not but i'll let you know. so for now that's all.
it turns out that my p-day is actually on tuesday. so here i am. it is so amazing here. it is so green and yellow.(pollen) you can see it all over the car. so no i'm not in a bike area right now but its been great here so far. my companions name is Elder Yelton and Elder Neilson. Elder Yelton leaves in a month. he tells me he is very jealous. he is from Denver Colorado. my other companion is from idaho(i cant remember where). it been great here, the fisrt day the heat really got me but it's been fine since. i alsop have had two meals with members. one was a hispanic family and they were very nice. i liked the meal they had, chicken, rice, and salad. that was the second, the first was my first day here. it was an older sister, she was incredibly nice, the meal i'm still suprised it sayed down. it was sweet and sour macroni with meatballs, something that was supposed to be chicken, and canned fruit, all in a cassorale. it tasted much worse than it sounds, but i ate it. so be proud. there has been very many investigators were teeaching, so far evry lesson has fallen through sense i've been here but, i've meet most of them. one person's name is Jack. he is a retired lawyer, who is now selling realistate and cars. he is very friendly and is very intersted in the gospel. we also have been teaching a sister's friend in her home. her name is elouise and last saturday and her friend committed her to be baptized. she accepted. there another family that sounds very close to wanting to be baptized. it's been amazing here. oh yeah the area i'm in is called Gayton, it's still considered Richmond. it's just north of Richmond. i have also seen a Papa Johns here and i have also seen a Maggie Moo's. so it's got both my old jobs here. i'm really loving it here. the ward is very nice and many are trying to get friends intesrted in the gospel. my address here right now is
2532 Potomac Hunt Lane #1a
Richmond VA 23233
A few days ago we were tracting and turned out we were in a spanish area. so we had our jackets on and knocked on a door. we saw a light in a peephole and it goes dark and the lights turn off as we heard some scampering. so later we think they thought we were border patrol or something. we thought it was a little funny. we also served a nonmember on saturday. they had some friends who were members and asked if we could help them out. we filled up about thrity bags of leaves and rainign off and on. it started wehen we arrived but quit miost of the time we were working. she was very appreciative. she asked how many times we call home and we told her and she couldn't believe it. she said she would be praying that our mothers could handle it. she was very nice. so thats all that's really happened so far. i don't know if i need a phone card or not but i'll let you know. so for now that's all.
Letter from Pres. Millburn
Dear Brother and Sister Johnson:
We were pleased to welcome your son, Elder Steven Roy Johnson, to the Virginia Richmond Mission. We love him already and are aware of his great potential to be an excellent missionary. He spent one day with us receiving orientation, and he is in good health and good spirits. His drive and determination will be of tremendous help as he joins a wonderful group of missionaries already serving the Lord in this area. Elder Johnson has been assigned to the Richmond Zone. His first companions, Elders Benjamin Lars Neilson and Andrew James Yelton are excellent missionaries who will do an outstanding job training your son for his service to the Lord.
All mail and parcels should be sent directly to your missionary. His new address is:
2532 Potomac Hunt Lane Apt 1A
Richmond, VA 23233
We invite you and your family members to read The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ, while your missionary is in the field. As you prayerfully and earnestly read this book, you will increase your understanding and faith in the plan of our Heavenly Father.
We are thankful for the part you played inpreparing Elder Johnson to serve this mission, and we are honored to serve with him. Enclosed is a photo we took upon his arrival at the Mission Home. May the Lord abundantly bless you as you support him in this call.
Sincerely,
President Mark B. Millburn
We were pleased to welcome your son, Elder Steven Roy Johnson, to the Virginia Richmond Mission. We love him already and are aware of his great potential to be an excellent missionary. He spent one day with us receiving orientation, and he is in good health and good spirits. His drive and determination will be of tremendous help as he joins a wonderful group of missionaries already serving the Lord in this area. Elder Johnson has been assigned to the Richmond Zone. His first companions, Elders Benjamin Lars Neilson and Andrew James Yelton are excellent missionaries who will do an outstanding job training your son for his service to the Lord.
All mail and parcels should be sent directly to your missionary. His new address is:
2532 Potomac Hunt Lane Apt 1A
Richmond, VA 23233
We invite you and your family members to read The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ, while your missionary is in the field. As you prayerfully and earnestly read this book, you will increase your understanding and faith in the plan of our Heavenly Father.
We are thankful for the part you played inpreparing Elder Johnson to serve this mission, and we are honored to serve with him. Enclosed is a photo we took upon his arrival at the Mission Home. May the Lord abundantly bless you as you support him in this call.
Sincerely,
President Mark B. Millburn
April 9, 2008
Hey everyone,
Last week was incredible. On thursday we had a huge number of referrals in the RC and I also taught with my two companions thi third lesson. It went very well. Then we had conference. Did you all think it was just amazing? Saturday night after Priesthood I started having ice cream withdrawls, but I was able to convince my companions to get some. Then monday and tuesday was the last time with my teachers, Bro Pomlowski and Sis Smith. I also had to get a haircut, mine was too long. So I'm not liking my new haircut too well, but I'm over it. Then tuesday we had our last devotional. The speaker was Robert S. Wood. He talked about truth. it was incredible. It was amazing. he talked about how to gain truth and explained the difference between knowledge and truth. He also showed us two graphs made by a non-member, one was about world population and the other was world capita. Both looked almost identical. Both were low until near the end and shot straight upward. He said it all started about 1820. (First Vision). It was very interesting. Also last Wednesday we had some new elders come into our zone that are going to Australia. That night our zone leaders and my companions planned an initiation test. It was really funny they recorded themselves singing My Girl. Now my companions sing it all of the time, but it was funny. (I wasn't in it.)
I just arrived at Richmond and it's airport was small compared to the one in Georgia. It is so different here. There a lot of trees and is really green. Before we even got off the plane, we felt the humidity. So far I think this place looks great.
Elder Johnson
Last week was incredible. On thursday we had a huge number of referrals in the RC and I also taught with my two companions thi third lesson. It went very well. Then we had conference. Did you all think it was just amazing? Saturday night after Priesthood I started having ice cream withdrawls, but I was able to convince my companions to get some. Then monday and tuesday was the last time with my teachers, Bro Pomlowski and Sis Smith. I also had to get a haircut, mine was too long. So I'm not liking my new haircut too well, but I'm over it. Then tuesday we had our last devotional. The speaker was Robert S. Wood. He talked about truth. it was incredible. It was amazing. he talked about how to gain truth and explained the difference between knowledge and truth. He also showed us two graphs made by a non-member, one was about world population and the other was world capita. Both looked almost identical. Both were low until near the end and shot straight upward. He said it all started about 1820. (First Vision). It was very interesting. Also last Wednesday we had some new elders come into our zone that are going to Australia. That night our zone leaders and my companions planned an initiation test. It was really funny they recorded themselves singing My Girl. Now my companions sing it all of the time, but it was funny. (I wasn't in it.)
I just arrived at Richmond and it's airport was small compared to the one in Georgia. It is so different here. There a lot of trees and is really green. Before we even got off the plane, we felt the humidity. So far I think this place looks great.
Elder Johnson
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
April 8, 2008
i will get to call tomorrow, about 6:45 to about 8:30 o'clock in the morning at Salt Lake. so just to let you know. but i will right to you tommorrow tell you about virginia.
we also will be able to call at 4:30 in georgia. so i'll probably call then. and i thought confernce was just amazing. i loved each session. i have a very cool story to tell you. my companion elder Peterson was in the referal center and he calls this lady who was excommunicated from the Catholic chuch because she was abused and divorced her husband. she told him how she just wanted the best for her kids and he beras his testimony and says just how important families are to the church and how she is held respossible because she was abused. then he committed her to watch confernce and she seemed very excited to see it. the teacher was listening on her computer and tears were in her eyes. so saturday morning confernce was all about families and one was about abuse. we all know she was suppossed to her that message. it was an amazing experince and he know wants to know if she watched it or not. but we are certain he did and that the speakers were inspired to speak about that. that's the cooloest story for right now. well i'll write you later. Elder Johnson
we also will be able to call at 4:30 in georgia. so i'll probably call then. and i thought confernce was just amazing. i loved each session. i have a very cool story to tell you. my companion elder Peterson was in the referal center and he calls this lady who was excommunicated from the Catholic chuch because she was abused and divorced her husband. she told him how she just wanted the best for her kids and he beras his testimony and says just how important families are to the church and how she is held respossible because she was abused. then he committed her to watch confernce and she seemed very excited to see it. the teacher was listening on her computer and tears were in her eyes. so saturday morning confernce was all about families and one was about abuse. we all know she was suppossed to her that message. it was an amazing experince and he know wants to know if she watched it or not. but we are certain he did and that the speakers were inspired to speak about that. that's the cooloest story for right now. well i'll write you later. Elder Johnson
Guess you didn't get week one...
hey everyonegreetings from the MTC. sorry my letter was little short, i just hadn't had much happen yet. my companion name is Elder Justin Monzingo from Pheonix. well he was my companion. he went home yesterday. it was really sad. but i gained so much respect for him because of it. he was forced to go and he just wanted to make his own decison before he came and he had some things he needed to take care of first. he had an amazing testimony too. my two roommates and new companions are, elder Peterson from wellsville, Utah, and the other is Elder Beames from Idaho. we all are going to richmond, along with four others. Elder Burmeister, Elder Meier, Elder Barr, and Elder, Peacock. there are all great. Oh yeah, Dan, Elder Burmiester was a secrututy guard before coming here. i have learned so much here and the spirit is just amazing. i love it here. yesterday we went to the referal center. there we called people upon the phone and checked on orders for dvd, or scriptures. it was fun but really slow, because we mostly had busy or answering machines. i did manage to talk to to people, one person had moved and no longer was there, and the other turned out she ordered something a few years ago and panicked when i asked if she recived the movie. there we also try to refer the missionaries there, but so far my whole district has just one and no clue how many attempts.i also have taught the first lesson to some volunteers here. it went so great and it also happened to be Elder Monzingo's last day. we did a great job and I knew Elder Monzingo had a strong testimony and i know he will do great, I can't remember what day it was but i placed one of grandpa's hankerchiefs in my suitpocket and i felt just so great. such a strong spirit entered the room and i felt so at peace. another great experience happened when elder monzingo was calling home. i was sitting in the secrataries office when i felt this presence walkin, but no one was there. then i felt a hand on my shoulder but no one was there. then over a speaker the music to God be with you till we meet again began to play. it was such an amzing experince. it was increbilble.Just to repeat, i love it here. the food is great, they've rarely had something i haven't liked. only once i didn't try anything they cooked. so i'm doing good. so i'm doinmg great here and can't wait to get to the Virginia Richmond Mission.Elder Steven Johnson
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
April 2, 2008
this week has been intersting. it was tough at first trying to get used to my new companionship. atleast i knew them already but it was still a challenge. Elder Riley Peterson, from Wellsville, Utah, was a soccer player for Mountain Crest, but he blew out both his knees early in the season. he said he was having a great year at the time. he thinks he could hav made all-state. then my other Companion, Elder Jarvis Beames, from Peoria, Idaho, was a wrestler and an allstate runningback. howver he can no longer play, he injured himself really bad and he told a story how when he entered the field that game, he just felt like it was his last game. he said if it is, i't's going to be one of my greatest. he said he had his best game ever in the first three quaters but then he went down in the fourth. it was very sad stroy but he said how it nevr hurt and how he stayed at the game. then he had surgery to repair it and it ended up not healing right. but he says how much it's strengthened him though. then this week as flown compared to the last one. the first week was dreadfully slow, but now your wondering where it's gone. yetserday we had Marcus b. Nash of the seventy speak to us. it was excellent. but nothing really bi is standing our right now. other than we taught a lesson on monday. we taught the Plan of Salvation and we were supposed to extend a baptismal commitment. the person we had however was incredibly stubborn and was supossed to believe in the Book of Mormon. he did think so, so it made it quite difficult.
> i also got my first referal at the RC. i called him up and it was a business so i though great no way anyone is going to talk. it turns out that he was just so thrilled that i called. he wanted to know so much more after watching the Lamb of God, and it was so amazing. another intesrting story there was from elder Burmiester. he had a person call him and just said that man found this card on the ground with that phone number and just felt like he needed to call it. they ended up talking for about an hour. he taught him pretty the whole first lesson. then my companion elder Peterson called someone up and said how they were praying for someone. it was so cool. it's just amazing there.
> now for a funny story. one of the Elders in our disrtict, Elder Barr(also going to Richmond) talks very loud in his sleep. i have also heard he's yelled a couple of times. wakes everyone up except him. so his Comapaion yesterday bought earplugs and ended up sleeping through the alarm clock. it was funny but i'm so glad i don't share the room with them lucky i never have heard him yell, yet.
> last thurdays we all got our plane information. i have a two hour layover in Atlanta, Georgia. so i will be in Richmond next wensday about 6:00 PM. just one week left here at the MTc before i make it to the missionfield.
> so everything is going great here, i can't wait to see confernce this weekend and who the new apostle will be.
> steven
> i also got my first referal at the RC. i called him up and it was a business so i though great no way anyone is going to talk. it turns out that he was just so thrilled that i called. he wanted to know so much more after watching the Lamb of God, and it was so amazing. another intesrting story there was from elder Burmiester. he had a person call him and just said that man found this card on the ground with that phone number and just felt like he needed to call it. they ended up talking for about an hour. he taught him pretty the whole first lesson. then my companion elder Peterson called someone up and said how they were praying for someone. it was so cool. it's just amazing there.
> now for a funny story. one of the Elders in our disrtict, Elder Barr(also going to Richmond) talks very loud in his sleep. i have also heard he's yelled a couple of times. wakes everyone up except him. so his Comapaion yesterday bought earplugs and ended up sleeping through the alarm clock. it was funny but i'm so glad i don't share the room with them lucky i never have heard him yell, yet.
> last thurdays we all got our plane information. i have a two hour layover in Atlanta, Georgia. so i will be in Richmond next wensday about 6:00 PM. just one week left here at the MTc before i make it to the missionfield.
> so everything is going great here, i can't wait to see confernce this weekend and who the new apostle will be.
> steven
Monday, March 31, 2008
package for steve
Hi, this is Tiffany writing, this is not a letter from Steve, sorry. I was just putting together some pictures to send to him and was wondering if you would all write him a little note to put with them. Anything from two words to two paragraphs would be really appreciated. Preferably things like "I admire you because..." or "I think you'll be a great missionary because..." Or just something encouraging and supportive. Thank you all! Just post them here in the comments or e-mail them to me.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
March 19, 2008
Hey everyone,
I'm doing great. I've only been here a few hours and I have already felt the spirit so strong. I have met my companions. One from Logan, Idaho, and Phoenix. But I can't remember all their names, and I'm ashamed to ask again. So other than that I think we did great. Don't worry about me I'm fine.
Elder Steven Johnson
I'm doing great. I've only been here a few hours and I have already felt the spirit so strong. I have met my companions. One from Logan, Idaho, and Phoenix. But I can't remember all their names, and I'm ashamed to ask again. So other than that I think we did great. Don't worry about me I'm fine.
Elder Steven Johnson
Thursday, March 20, 2008
MTC
Steve went into the MTC yesterday. It was so neat to see how excited and nervous he was. And my dad was so proud. He doesn't say a lot, but we've learned to read facial expressions a little bit, and I think he's very happy about Steven's decision to go.
On Tuesday night, Steven got set apart and the Stake President asked my parents to share their testimonies. Jill and I sort of held our breath as Dad started talking because he doesn't like to be put on the spot. We expected something really short and nervous, but it was so perfect! He talked about how there are a lot of conversion stories in his family history, and how much he enjoys spending time with his family, and of course that the church and Book of Mormon are true. It was a wonderful family moment. It shows how much he loves Steve that he would do that.
At the MTC we checked in his luggage and then he went in one door to get his nametag, and we went in the other door and met back up with him. My mom put his nametag on him, and started getting a little shaky. She was very strong though. She cries a lot usually, but yesterday she didn't cry all that much. She and Steve went to the temple on Tuesday morning and they were both amazed by how calm they felt when they came out. They said that all their nerves were calmed and they felt so much more prepared. (What a relief for all of us! Just teasing, Mom!) Then we took a few pictures in the lobby. The one of my dad and Steve by the book in the glass case is, I believe, the first printed copy of the Book of Mormon. My mind was sort of elsewhere, so if that is incorrect, I apologize. After that we headed down to The Room, where we listened to a couple of speakers and watched a short movie about the MTC. My favorite part was when the sister who was speaking said that the elders would be leaving the arms of their mothers and entering the arms of their Savior. After that, we stood up, gave him big hugs and told him we love him, and then he gave us a huge smile and ran for the door! Yes, ran. I told you he was excited. I hope he his loving his companion and having a good time. I can't wait for letters to start coming!
From now on, the postings will be copies of his letters, not my commentary, so keep watching to hear how he is doing!
Thank you all from Steve and his family for your love and support!
On Tuesday night, Steven got set apart and the Stake President asked my parents to share their testimonies. Jill and I sort of held our breath as Dad started talking because he doesn't like to be put on the spot. We expected something really short and nervous, but it was so perfect! He talked about how there are a lot of conversion stories in his family history, and how much he enjoys spending time with his family, and of course that the church and Book of Mormon are true. It was a wonderful family moment. It shows how much he loves Steve that he would do that.
At the MTC we checked in his luggage and then he went in one door to get his nametag, and we went in the other door and met back up with him. My mom put his nametag on him, and started getting a little shaky. She was very strong though. She cries a lot usually, but yesterday she didn't cry all that much. She and Steve went to the temple on Tuesday morning and they were both amazed by how calm they felt when they came out. They said that all their nerves were calmed and they felt so much more prepared. (What a relief for all of us! Just teasing, Mom!) Then we took a few pictures in the lobby. The one of my dad and Steve by the book in the glass case is, I believe, the first printed copy of the Book of Mormon. My mind was sort of elsewhere, so if that is incorrect, I apologize. After that we headed down to The Room, where we listened to a couple of speakers and watched a short movie about the MTC. My favorite part was when the sister who was speaking said that the elders would be leaving the arms of their mothers and entering the arms of their Savior. After that, we stood up, gave him big hugs and told him we love him, and then he gave us a huge smile and ran for the door! Yes, ran. I told you he was excited. I hope he his loving his companion and having a good time. I can't wait for letters to start coming!
From now on, the postings will be copies of his letters, not my commentary, so keep watching to hear how he is doing!
Thank you all from Steve and his family for your love and support!
Monday, March 10, 2008
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Farewell
Today was Steve's farewell. He gave a wonderful talk and the chapel was filled with lots of family and friends. It was so fun to see everyone who came to support him. It is easy to see that he is very loved and will be a great missionary! We appreciate so much that everyone was willing to get up so early and drive so far to be there.
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