We ended up having to wait til late Sunday night to talk to Michael. It was actually early Monday morning for him. He had only been up for about 20 minutes when we got through. But we had a wonderful talk and he sounded so good! A little funcky accent that made me smile!!! Same old Mikey! It was SOO good to hear his voise. I have often said throughout his mission that I wished time would slow down a bit and that he could stay out a little longer just so he could keep having the experiences he is having. WELL... I have changed my mind. I am ready for the boy to come home! December 1st can't come soon enough. I want him to enjoy every minute, but I really do miss him and it will be wonderful to have him home. He is so happy, loving the work and is doing a wonderful job. He was able to actually baptize a week or so ago. TWO!!! He was pretty stoked about that. He said they work from like 10am to 8:30pm. everyday!!! I couldn't believe it was our last time to talk to him. It was HEAVENLY!!!
Enjoy the emails.
Elder Johnson-yo momma loves you.
May 10th
Wow... well it was nice talking to you all!!
Thanks for the pictures i love them!! especially kevins! he is such a stud!!
Pictures are always welcome and appreciated!
Well... I don't know if there is too much to tell about!
Here are somethings that i would like:
1. Jerky
2. Breath Mints
3.Reses Pops. if possible
4. Pictures.
5. Music,
6. Other sweet delicous american goodies! (JOLLY RANCHERS PLEASE!)
7. any other nice suprises!
THE CHURCH IS TRUE!
-Elder Johnson
May 3rd-
EMERGENCY!!! I'm supposed to call home this week! so what im gonna try to do is to call on sunday night here, which will be sunday morning around 9 or 10. if that doesn't work then your gonna have to be troopers and i'll call monday morning here which will be around 9:30 at night over there! :/
Aside from that bit of intense news! things are good here!
we're for sure going to have 2 baptisms this week! :)
as well both me and my companion are staying here. But they are whitewashing the other elders in our flat. so we have to help out a lot with the new elders cause they are going to have no idea whats happening in their area and who is who and everything. Some missionaries have a hard time realizing they aren't in high school anymore. They don't realize that young women are now inadament objects that you say hello to and thats the end of the relationship. hence the whitewashing. bleh.
Anywho... me and elder van vurren are having a killer time! working hard and doing the work. It's been sweet.
I'm so excited for my new nephew! Luke is gonna be a stud just like his dad! (and uncles and grandpa)
NEW MOWER.... I THINK HELL JUST FROZE OVER?!?!?! hahahaha
Does this mean an HDTV is in the works?!? haha i tell stories about dad and the tv all the time to people here because people in the township prefer having a nice tv to a nice house and so you go into these little shacks and they have bigger tv's than we do!
Oh man i miss gandalfos!
WE haven't heard too much news from the stake yet. it sounds like the changes will be another month or so. WE got a new ward mission leader! it's a kid from Zimbabwe named stanton! he is a stud! he doesn't speak zulu or very good english! so he has a hard time communicating with anyone! but he loves the work and loves the gospel! so he's gonna be great!
Aside from that there isnt too much news to tell about!
have a good week! talk to you on SUNDAY!!
the church is true!
-elder johnson
April 26th-
Hello!! YES WE FINALLY SAW CONFERENCE! it was sweet! :)
Dieter F. Uchtdorf is now tied with jeffrey r. Holland as "my boy". Uchtdorf had some awesome talks and Holland laid down the law! LUST IS SHAMEFUL AND STEALTHY! good stuff! The minute he said " it grieveth me" i was like "oh boy here it comes!!"
It was definately a power conference!
As far as the work is going! we're going to have two people interviewed for baptism this week! So we're pumped for that! and then we're hoping for a couple of more baptisms the week of the 30th! so may should be a good month! june should be even better! And who knows....July could be intense! I went on exchanges and was stuck in the rain on bikes in super cold weather in a muddy township with a young Kenyan Elder...... it was a rough night. but we had a good time!
The pictures i'm sending you are one of me with my son in our final minutes as a companionship! The other is with samuel and tankie! WE had just a family home evening with them my 2nd week here! She is a member and were working n getting him bapped! He's draggin his feet though!
The last one is me with my sweet glasses and suspenders pretty much "the look"
and yes the guy in the picture is my companion! the two white guys!
well we just heard from the stake high council that there are gonna be some big changes in our ward in the coming weeks! pretty scary eh? So we'll see what happens!
Don't worry mom... the food is ok. It sounds sketchy but it's safe!
What else is there to tell about??
This week was pretty chill! WE're just working hard! Even on weekends! haha jk
welp have a great! week! enjoy yourselves!
THE CHURCH IS TRUE!
-elder johnson
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Way Behind in Posting!
I have been behind since my computer hasn't been working very well. I hope to get some current pictures and information about his new area soon. Enjoy the emails!
April 5th WOO!! Oh man.... life sounds so awesome, hectic, fun, crazy. Kevin is going to university! i'm glad he got my b-day card! i sent it a week before leaving selcourt! it got there quick! wow thanks for calling president! i'll be having an interview with him this week! so i'll ask him about it and apologise for you! haha Things are great! we're still keeping super busy i'm over the stomach adjustment phase of township.... let me put it this way i was eating a lot and still lost weight my first few days here. stuff goes right through you! So that was awesome! And i am now speaking more tsotsi talk than english with people on the street! ACHTARE! LAMANJYE! EITA HOLA! SHO SHO MFYWETU! it's pretty awesome! The guys around the township love us! which is crazy cause usually they hate the mulungus riding around township! But we're teaching some pretty sweet people! some of our investigators are being interviewed for baptisms this week! so that will be great it sounds like they'll be baptized a week from sunday! :) The people in the pics i'm pretty sure it was norbert and tariro! was it the wife and the husband?!?! Or was it the family home evening?! the FHE was with Norbert tariro and obert and sabina! it was fun! Those families are gonna be so powerful! I'm excited to continue to hear about what they will be doing over the following year! o and conference has been pushed back a few weeks for africa! so i won't be seeing it until the 24th or something like that! bummer eh? anyways! have a great week! i'm just about outta email time! the church is true! -elder johnson
April 12th Yup... Tsotsi isn't a real language.... it's pretty much just a bunch of slang that all the "gangsta's" and taxi drivers speak! Achtare is afrikaans for "behind you" Lamanjye means "right now" in zulu, eita hola means absolutely nothing and sho sho imfweytu is i'm good brother! Pretty much you use these words in no particular order and communicate nothing intelligible and the guys LOVE IT! In bigger news we are in the ward choir and i'm in a quartet that will do a musical number in sacrament this week! as well we are learning african traditional songs! it's pleasing! We are most likely going to be having 5 baptisms this week! We're very excited!! 2 of which are future priesthood holders! YES! It is a ward! Its entirely run by members in the township.... which is nice and sometimes not too nice! But we love it anyways even when it's not as organized as usual.... for instance the ward is run on Africa Time. So sacrament starts at 9:10 every sunday! and most of the ward shows up around 9:30. And the bishop is only at church every other week. sometimes less! so it's pretty great. The good news is that we're actually rejuvenating the ward a bit..... wow... i just used a 5 syllable word. The best township food is KOTA!!!! It's the diet of the missionary... let me put it this way it's about 8 rands which is about a dollar. and it's a quarter loaf of bread emptied out and stuffed with fries, cheese, meats, and sauce. It will probably give me a heart attack someday.... but yo! it's good and filling you can eat one and be full for the whole day! I'm going to send you guys some pictures of me and my son (elder matunya)and me with a family here in hospital view that we're teaching (tanki and samuel!) Tanki is a member but samuel isn't. he likes to drink too much but we're gonna change that. Don't worry mom. i did cut my hair when we got back to the flat that night and my hair is now incredibly short and missionary like. Pretty much a #4 all around my dome! OH and we're going to the temple this friday! i'm so stoked! I love the temple. i listen to a lot of talks about the temple. i'm pretty sure it's my favorite place in the whole world and my favorite thing to think and ponder upon! it's so sweet! THE CHURCH IS TRUE! _elder johnson
April 19th WOO! 5 BAPTISMS! It happened for sure! It tied the record for my mission thus far! :) We have some very solid people in that group as well! Siphiwe is already talking about going on mission and all that. So that would probably make me happier than anything else! As well Lucky is the man and our others bore awesome testimonies following their baptisms! Sister hilda didn't go down without a fight elder van vuuren had to baptise her like 8 times before she finally got under! haha But it was definately a spiritual experience. it's always the best. As well we had the rubbish collectors all over Gauteng go on strike this week! There is trash and junk all over the streets everywhere! today we drove down the street and there was a dumpster in the middle of the street! sweet. as well i ate chicken head and chicken feet yesterday at siphiwe's after the baptism! The juice inside of a chickens eye is not pleasant in case you ever have the urge to try it. haha The temple was sweet! as usual! it continues to blow my mind! Jo burg has the best temple grounds in the world! What else is there to tell about...... oh ya we're on bikes 5 out of 7 days. we get the car for two days of the week! And bishop came to church again! sweet, The vibe in the ward has been awesome the last two weeks. lots of smiling, jokes, and just a sweet vibe. Aside from that... not much else. Just working hard. And doing the work that the lord wants us to do! it's great! But i hope everyone has a good week! i'll hope to hear from y'all soon! the church is true! -elder johnson
April 5th WOO!! Oh man.... life sounds so awesome, hectic, fun, crazy. Kevin is going to university! i'm glad he got my b-day card! i sent it a week before leaving selcourt! it got there quick! wow thanks for calling president! i'll be having an interview with him this week! so i'll ask him about it and apologise for you! haha Things are great! we're still keeping super busy i'm over the stomach adjustment phase of township.... let me put it this way i was eating a lot and still lost weight my first few days here. stuff goes right through you! So that was awesome! And i am now speaking more tsotsi talk than english with people on the street! ACHTARE! LAMANJYE! EITA HOLA! SHO SHO MFYWETU! it's pretty awesome! The guys around the township love us! which is crazy cause usually they hate the mulungus riding around township! But we're teaching some pretty sweet people! some of our investigators are being interviewed for baptisms this week! so that will be great it sounds like they'll be baptized a week from sunday! :) The people in the pics i'm pretty sure it was norbert and tariro! was it the wife and the husband?!?! Or was it the family home evening?! the FHE was with Norbert tariro and obert and sabina! it was fun! Those families are gonna be so powerful! I'm excited to continue to hear about what they will be doing over the following year! o and conference has been pushed back a few weeks for africa! so i won't be seeing it until the 24th or something like that! bummer eh? anyways! have a great week! i'm just about outta email time! the church is true! -elder johnson
April 12th Yup... Tsotsi isn't a real language.... it's pretty much just a bunch of slang that all the "gangsta's" and taxi drivers speak! Achtare is afrikaans for "behind you" Lamanjye means "right now" in zulu, eita hola means absolutely nothing and sho sho imfweytu is i'm good brother! Pretty much you use these words in no particular order and communicate nothing intelligible and the guys LOVE IT! In bigger news we are in the ward choir and i'm in a quartet that will do a musical number in sacrament this week! as well we are learning african traditional songs! it's pleasing! We are most likely going to be having 5 baptisms this week! We're very excited!! 2 of which are future priesthood holders! YES! It is a ward! Its entirely run by members in the township.... which is nice and sometimes not too nice! But we love it anyways even when it's not as organized as usual.... for instance the ward is run on Africa Time. So sacrament starts at 9:10 every sunday! and most of the ward shows up around 9:30. And the bishop is only at church every other week. sometimes less! so it's pretty great. The good news is that we're actually rejuvenating the ward a bit..... wow... i just used a 5 syllable word. The best township food is KOTA!!!! It's the diet of the missionary... let me put it this way it's about 8 rands which is about a dollar. and it's a quarter loaf of bread emptied out and stuffed with fries, cheese, meats, and sauce. It will probably give me a heart attack someday.... but yo! it's good and filling you can eat one and be full for the whole day! I'm going to send you guys some pictures of me and my son (elder matunya)and me with a family here in hospital view that we're teaching (tanki and samuel!) Tanki is a member but samuel isn't. he likes to drink too much but we're gonna change that. Don't worry mom. i did cut my hair when we got back to the flat that night and my hair is now incredibly short and missionary like. Pretty much a #4 all around my dome! OH and we're going to the temple this friday! i'm so stoked! I love the temple. i listen to a lot of talks about the temple. i'm pretty sure it's my favorite place in the whole world and my favorite thing to think and ponder upon! it's so sweet! THE CHURCH IS TRUE! _elder johnson
April 19th WOO! 5 BAPTISMS! It happened for sure! It tied the record for my mission thus far! :) We have some very solid people in that group as well! Siphiwe is already talking about going on mission and all that. So that would probably make me happier than anything else! As well Lucky is the man and our others bore awesome testimonies following their baptisms! Sister hilda didn't go down without a fight elder van vuuren had to baptise her like 8 times before she finally got under! haha But it was definately a spiritual experience. it's always the best. As well we had the rubbish collectors all over Gauteng go on strike this week! There is trash and junk all over the streets everywhere! today we drove down the street and there was a dumpster in the middle of the street! sweet. as well i ate chicken head and chicken feet yesterday at siphiwe's after the baptism! The juice inside of a chickens eye is not pleasant in case you ever have the urge to try it. haha The temple was sweet! as usual! it continues to blow my mind! Jo burg has the best temple grounds in the world! What else is there to tell about...... oh ya we're on bikes 5 out of 7 days. we get the car for two days of the week! And bishop came to church again! sweet, The vibe in the ward has been awesome the last two weeks. lots of smiling, jokes, and just a sweet vibe. Aside from that... not much else. Just working hard. And doing the work that the lord wants us to do! it's great! But i hope everyone has a good week! i'll hope to hear from y'all soon! the church is true! -elder johnson
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Spoonin' and...transfers are coming!
March 15,2010
HELLO HELLO HELLO.
BAPTISMS!!! WOOT!
The baptism was a smashing success! as well we had double digit investigators at sacrament for the first time ever in selcourt! it was great! :)
And guess what?? we're gonna try to have another one this week.
so that will be sweet!
Unfortunately obert had an emergency and wasn't able to baptize them, But he'll be ready soon!
Obert was baptized like 3 months ago. he should've had the aaronic priesthood a long long time ago but..... ya. the ward takes time to get on top of things.
I've attached some pics of the baptism and the FHE we did the night before with norbert,tariro, obert and sabina!
It was so fun! we played some intense games of spoons! I apparently was the best spooner but jeff dad and kevin already know that. haha just spoonin ya.
Ya elder maisonueve is from around there. He was the AP for awhile in our mission, He was a cool dude.
Well i'll try to work the poor man's copywrite. I'm not too concerned most of the songs i was worried about being taken already have been. But it's ok there's more where that came from...
ya member missionary work is the best. You guys should have them over for a braai or dinner or something nice. That way the family can "meet the bishop" as well have some friends in the ward.
Member missionary work is more than just saying hello at sacrament meeting! I'm glad to hear you went skiing with steph that's awesome! Just start with baby steps and work your way up. That's the way it's done!
We get transfer news on saturday so my next email will contain my destiny for the next 4 1/2 to 6 months! I'm hoping to go to Lebotse( a village in botswana) and be the branch president and just stay up there the rest of my mission....but thats a pretty high aspiration! haha
I'm still having a bunch of fun here in selcourt though. It is gonna be tough to leave, it is the land of my inheritance.
But aside from that there isn't too much going on! We're just working hard!
Have a great week!
the church is true!
-elder johnson
Mon, Mar 8, 2010
Well, i come before you this day repentant! My last email was a bit dreary and down. But this week all is well! don't worry obert is getting the priesthood this week just in time so that he can baptise norbert and tariro! it's gonna be sweet. we are pumped!
Ya as far as the oscars go.... All i know is that Avatar is like the biggest thing since sliced bread or something.... i've seen stuff for it everywhere.
We put our white investigator (dirk) on date yesterday!! He's engaged to a member in the ward and he is going to baptized in may! Unfortunately i won't be here when it happens.... but it's all good!
As well Sis. Zwane is on date. I don't know if we told you about here but she is the mother of a convert in the township and we got her as a refferal and she is awesome. We teach powerful lessons every time! it's awesome!!
Oh man, i can't believe that biking is a hobby to some people.... ugh. i'm tired of it!!! haha
What else is good news?!?! One of our new investigators Jeffrey... is a stud He's just rocking the lessons. I'm thinking of even having him baptized in a few weeks. maybe before i leave. it's a bit selfish but i would baptize him before just about anyone but Norbert and Tariro! He's power.
So tomorrow night when we teach obert our lesson is gonna be "how to baptize" i'm pumped!
I also had the chance to play for a missionary fireside we had with Marlin K. Jensen. I played "come thou fount" it was awesome! i was going to send a video of me practicing it but it wont fit.... sorry. Well when i send a dvd of pictures home i'll include it!
Ya i just finished the book of mormon... so i started D&C.... i'm kinda pumped already it's been blowing my mind.... the first section is nuts.... lots of sweet stuff in there. It's nice when scripture study becomes exciting!
But the lord has definately been answering my prayers this week as i fasted this sunday i asked to be able to enjoy the work and to love the people... even if their stressing me out a bit, and oh boy did i get answered! it was awesome!
THE CHURCH IS SO TRUE!
-elder johnson
HELLO HELLO HELLO.
BAPTISMS!!! WOOT!
The baptism was a smashing success! as well we had double digit investigators at sacrament for the first time ever in selcourt! it was great! :)
And guess what?? we're gonna try to have another one this week.
so that will be sweet!
Unfortunately obert had an emergency and wasn't able to baptize them, But he'll be ready soon!
Obert was baptized like 3 months ago. he should've had the aaronic priesthood a long long time ago but..... ya. the ward takes time to get on top of things.
I've attached some pics of the baptism and the FHE we did the night before with norbert,tariro, obert and sabina!
It was so fun! we played some intense games of spoons! I apparently was the best spooner but jeff dad and kevin already know that. haha just spoonin ya.
Ya elder maisonueve is from around there. He was the AP for awhile in our mission, He was a cool dude.
Well i'll try to work the poor man's copywrite. I'm not too concerned most of the songs i was worried about being taken already have been. But it's ok there's more where that came from...
ya member missionary work is the best. You guys should have them over for a braai or dinner or something nice. That way the family can "meet the bishop" as well have some friends in the ward.
Member missionary work is more than just saying hello at sacrament meeting! I'm glad to hear you went skiing with steph that's awesome! Just start with baby steps and work your way up. That's the way it's done!
We get transfer news on saturday so my next email will contain my destiny for the next 4 1/2 to 6 months! I'm hoping to go to Lebotse( a village in botswana) and be the branch president and just stay up there the rest of my mission....but thats a pretty high aspiration! haha
I'm still having a bunch of fun here in selcourt though. It is gonna be tough to leave, it is the land of my inheritance.
But aside from that there isn't too much going on! We're just working hard!
Have a great week!
the church is true!
-elder johnson
Mon, Mar 8, 2010
Well, i come before you this day repentant! My last email was a bit dreary and down. But this week all is well! don't worry obert is getting the priesthood this week just in time so that he can baptise norbert and tariro! it's gonna be sweet. we are pumped!
Ya as far as the oscars go.... All i know is that Avatar is like the biggest thing since sliced bread or something.... i've seen stuff for it everywhere.
We put our white investigator (dirk) on date yesterday!! He's engaged to a member in the ward and he is going to baptized in may! Unfortunately i won't be here when it happens.... but it's all good!
As well Sis. Zwane is on date. I don't know if we told you about here but she is the mother of a convert in the township and we got her as a refferal and she is awesome. We teach powerful lessons every time! it's awesome!!
Oh man, i can't believe that biking is a hobby to some people.... ugh. i'm tired of it!!! haha
What else is good news?!?! One of our new investigators Jeffrey... is a stud He's just rocking the lessons. I'm thinking of even having him baptized in a few weeks. maybe before i leave. it's a bit selfish but i would baptize him before just about anyone but Norbert and Tariro! He's power.
So tomorrow night when we teach obert our lesson is gonna be "how to baptize" i'm pumped!
I also had the chance to play for a missionary fireside we had with Marlin K. Jensen. I played "come thou fount" it was awesome! i was going to send a video of me practicing it but it wont fit.... sorry. Well when i send a dvd of pictures home i'll include it!
Ya i just finished the book of mormon... so i started D&C.... i'm kinda pumped already it's been blowing my mind.... the first section is nuts.... lots of sweet stuff in there. It's nice when scripture study becomes exciting!
But the lord has definately been answering my prayers this week as i fasted this sunday i asked to be able to enjoy the work and to love the people... even if their stressing me out a bit, and oh boy did i get answered! it was awesome!
THE CHURCH IS SO TRUE!
-elder johnson
Monday, March 1, 2010
Things are going GREAT for Elder J in JOBURG!
Heidelburg is a park in S. Africa, much like Krueger Park near his first area of Nelspruitt. There are a ton of animals and sightseeing to be had. Sounds like Michael's experience wasn't too great. Hopefully he can get back there. And maybe I could go with him!!
March 1, 2010
well i'm glad you woke up on time to write your only son in the wilderness(of suid afrika)!
Welp things are going well. This week was a bit of a trying one. First of all i am now beginning to see the racism of south africa more and more.... it's stressing especially when most of your investigators are black... and 90% of the ward is white. and heaven forbid it get too "dark" in sacrament meeting! ugh.... but that's all i shall say on the matter!
Unfortunately our heidelburg trip was a huge flop and when we got to the game reserve it was too late and the reserve wasn't that great any ways!
AS far as the work goes this side we're doing great my boy elder matunya is awesome. We're taking care of business. Norbert and Tariro are going to baptized for sure and Ernest and Ruth wiill probably be as well! unfortunately everest and mercy are getting a bit sketchy.... :/
But our other investigators are awesome! we just started teaching this guy named jeffrey! he's dating a membewr in our ward. and he is awesome!! he's starting to get super pumped about the gospel. we put him on date the first lesson! and he's come to church the past two weeks! so we're pumped for him!
I had the chance to go interview some people for baptism! that was fun, I've gotten to do it a quite a few times now! it's always a sweet experience! i love it!
Aside from that the week was pretty normal. But i was excited to see callie! she looks cute! it will be great to get to hold her in a few months. I'll be sure to ask mia though! Geez, those girls are growing up like crazy!
And jack sounds like a little stud!
oh and i bought the jerseys! they are sweet! the guys are gonna love em! transfers are on the 24th of march and yes i'm about 90% sure i'll be leaving! it's crtazy it's almost been 6 months since i got here! IT's been a lot of growing up and change. But i'ts been change for the good. the lord has helped me alot!
the church is true!
-elder johnson
Feb. 22, 2010
Hola hola eita majita! AYOBANESS!!
I'll start by answering some questions!
elder durham?!?! i served with him for 10 days!! haha he's from st.george, very goofy kid!
that's crazy! he came to springs to fill in for a missionary who finished mission and went home before transfers due to christmas travel. that's funny.
I'm glad to here that Ben got home! tell him kinichiwa! and to "taisetsusamono... THE CHURCH IS TRUE!"
I'm pretty sure taisetsusamono means remember the important things?? if not tell him sorry that my half japanese mission friend misinformed me! but that's all the japanese i know!
As far as my needs.... i'm healthy.... Money is nice and it's always nice to have more. :) I have been getting a bit low. I hope your proud i don't spend near as much as i used to! haha
As far as the baptisms go... i will probably see 6 next month!! Norbert and Tariro, Ernest and Ruth, and Everest and Mercy. I'm pretty excited! Norbert and Tariro are gonna be power!
Norbert answered a question today in priesthood. I about gave him a round of applause. The question was what to obstacles keep us away from god??? he raised his hand and said : "SIN AND DEATH" Woo!!!! i was so pumped. Thats one of the few moments of Holy Pride that we missionaries get to experience. it was radical!
Tell kev-bot congratulations! that's awesome! i hope to join him someday! if not bsu is better at football anyways.... :)
the neices sound like a handful! that's always good.
Oh man... we've had a good week. It's been hectic but good. I'm loving it!
WE're going to heidelburg to see some leopards and baboons and what not today!
So i'll hopefully send some pictures of that home soon! i think it should be cool!
But have a great week! keep up the good work! life sounds good that side!
THE CHURCH IS TRUE!
-elder johnson
Saturday, February 20, 2010
I have been a little behind in posting because my computer has been on the fritz. Michael is doing SO well and is very happy to be serving the Lord on a mission. It certainly has blessed our family.
He refers to the new Elder he has been training as his "son", a mission tradition I suppose. There was a chance that he would be moved to the Durbin mission, but he wasn't and we were all very relieved. So we shall see where he ends up when the next transfers come along. That will be in about 4 weeks or so. I love reading his emails, I can just hear the enthusiasm in his words. I know he is putting his heart and soul into the work that the Lord has called him to do. I am thankful everyday for this opportunity and I know he is growing and maturing. I miss him everyday, but in a good way. He is closing in on 9 months left...hard to believe!
WELP I AM............NOT BEING TRANSFERED! I'll be in Selcourt for another 6 weeks to finish training my son! :)
But things were great this week! We had a record 9 people at church this week!
Our all-star families Norbert & Tariro and Everest & Mercy came!!
Obert and Sabina are doing a killer job of fellowshipping Norbert and Tariro. They hung out at Oberts place for like 3 hours last night!
But everything is nice. I'm enjoying the work. It's gonna be exciting as we will get to have some more baptisms in the coming month!
We're still working hard. Elder Matunya is still doing an awesome job. He's a sharp kid! And his Shona Speaking abilities help out a lot as most of our teaching pool is Zimbabweans!
So.... Who won the Super Bowl?? I haven't heard any news on that!
Kev-bot went skiing.... lucky dog. How is andrea doing?? That kid should be here any minute!
I like sydnies name the best Agnes Tulip.... yes.
Umm....what else is there to tell about?!
We've been teaching a family that was referred to us by a Girl in Kwa-Thema. She's dating a member and she just got baptized and her family stays in our area so we started teaching her! it was awesome. We've taught two very powerful lessons to them. The mom is super active in her church.... but we'll see what happens in the coming weeks! :)
But i think that's about all i got to say about the past week!!
Things are definately looking good here and I'm very excited for what the next 6 weeks hold!
Today we're having a zone p-day! so i didn't have too much time to email.... hence the briefness!
THE CHURCH IS TRUE!
-elder johnson
p.s. MYLDSMAIL got upgraded and is now being ran off of Google Mail so the email address that this one got sent from is my new one... it's the same as the other one just drop the '84'.
MFJOHNSON@myldsmail.net
HELLO! HOWZIT!
well! it was a very interesting week in selcourt!
We had a lot of ditched appointments yet somehow it was a really good week!
WE had stake conference this week and Norbert and Tariro came! so that was cool. Seeings that it was at a different venue than our chapel i was happy with the 4 investigators who came! :)
We had quite the week with one of our investigators Ernest and Ruth, Ruth is fine but Ernest..... yo... that guy gave us a tough time this week. he's been on date for baptism for awhile but the past few weeks has been having a ton of doubts and problems and didn't really want to be baptized anymore.... so i was pretty stressed about it. It was the first time on my mission that i didn't know what to do for an investigator.... I was out of things to say, you can only say "read, ponder, and pray" so many times! Anyways.... WE had a breakthrough this morning. While we were waiting for some missionaries to pick us up to do email we got a call from ernest! he said "Put me on the list for baptism in march" I WAS SO PUMPED!
He was reading his scriptures and got some answers! so we're super excited about that! that was some super tender mercies! cause i was stressing!
As well Norbert and Tariro and Mercy and Everest are gonna be ready as well! Tariro and Mercy both said that they know that it's true! and norbert is getting there! Everest is in Zimbabwe right now.... so we'll check on him!
Oh man.... BEN BLACK IS HOME!! gee wiz! One of my buddies elder bohannon was best friends with one of ben's companions! Small world eh?
And i heard from marcus and chris this week! they are both doing well!
WAY TO GO SAINTS! i think i would've rooted for them as well! I like drew brees.
Well right now we only have 12 on date. We had a big cleansing of our on date people the other week. A lot of them just weren't progressing. But the one's we have right now are stellar!
Btw.... i've been thinking about a couple of things first..... regarding byu... if i'm gonna go to winter semester we're probably gonna have to apply soon so i can get on priority! I'm gonna need every chance i can get if i'm gonna get in there!
And i don't know what you guys are thinking or feeling about coming here to pick me up! but if you want to do it then do it! But arrange with the office beforehand because as i said if i leave on a flight that they haven't booked then they won't pay for it.
So thats that!
Oh and i went to the temple like 3 weeks ago and we're going again this week! that will be so sweet! I always get pumped to go! Getting the mysteries of the kingdom unfolded upon me, good stuff!
But thanks for everything! i love you all so much!
the work is great i'm loving it!
the church is true!
-elder johnson
p.s. carrie said what she meant. She probably just had some sort of muscle spasm that caused her to point at kevin... yebo.
He refers to the new Elder he has been training as his "son", a mission tradition I suppose. There was a chance that he would be moved to the Durbin mission, but he wasn't and we were all very relieved. So we shall see where he ends up when the next transfers come along. That will be in about 4 weeks or so. I love reading his emails, I can just hear the enthusiasm in his words. I know he is putting his heart and soul into the work that the Lord has called him to do. I am thankful everyday for this opportunity and I know he is growing and maturing. I miss him everyday, but in a good way. He is closing in on 9 months left...hard to believe!
WELP I AM............NOT BEING TRANSFERED! I'll be in Selcourt for another 6 weeks to finish training my son! :)
But things were great this week! We had a record 9 people at church this week!
Our all-star families Norbert & Tariro and Everest & Mercy came!!
Obert and Sabina are doing a killer job of fellowshipping Norbert and Tariro. They hung out at Oberts place for like 3 hours last night!
But everything is nice. I'm enjoying the work. It's gonna be exciting as we will get to have some more baptisms in the coming month!
We're still working hard. Elder Matunya is still doing an awesome job. He's a sharp kid! And his Shona Speaking abilities help out a lot as most of our teaching pool is Zimbabweans!
So.... Who won the Super Bowl?? I haven't heard any news on that!
Kev-bot went skiing.... lucky dog. How is andrea doing?? That kid should be here any minute!
I like sydnies name the best Agnes Tulip.... yes.
Umm....what else is there to tell about?!
We've been teaching a family that was referred to us by a Girl in Kwa-Thema. She's dating a member and she just got baptized and her family stays in our area so we started teaching her! it was awesome. We've taught two very powerful lessons to them. The mom is super active in her church.... but we'll see what happens in the coming weeks! :)
But i think that's about all i got to say about the past week!!
Things are definately looking good here and I'm very excited for what the next 6 weeks hold!
Today we're having a zone p-day! so i didn't have too much time to email.... hence the briefness!
THE CHURCH IS TRUE!
-elder johnson
p.s. MYLDSMAIL got upgraded and is now being ran off of Google Mail so the email address that this one got sent from is my new one... it's the same as the other one just drop the '84'.
MFJOHNSON@myldsmail.net
HELLO! HOWZIT!
well! it was a very interesting week in selcourt!
We had a lot of ditched appointments yet somehow it was a really good week!
WE had stake conference this week and Norbert and Tariro came! so that was cool. Seeings that it was at a different venue than our chapel i was happy with the 4 investigators who came! :)
We had quite the week with one of our investigators Ernest and Ruth, Ruth is fine but Ernest..... yo... that guy gave us a tough time this week. he's been on date for baptism for awhile but the past few weeks has been having a ton of doubts and problems and didn't really want to be baptized anymore.... so i was pretty stressed about it. It was the first time on my mission that i didn't know what to do for an investigator.... I was out of things to say, you can only say "read, ponder, and pray" so many times! Anyways.... WE had a breakthrough this morning. While we were waiting for some missionaries to pick us up to do email we got a call from ernest! he said "Put me on the list for baptism in march" I WAS SO PUMPED!
He was reading his scriptures and got some answers! so we're super excited about that! that was some super tender mercies! cause i was stressing!
As well Norbert and Tariro and Mercy and Everest are gonna be ready as well! Tariro and Mercy both said that they know that it's true! and norbert is getting there! Everest is in Zimbabwe right now.... so we'll check on him!
Oh man.... BEN BLACK IS HOME!! gee wiz! One of my buddies elder bohannon was best friends with one of ben's companions! Small world eh?
And i heard from marcus and chris this week! they are both doing well!
WAY TO GO SAINTS! i think i would've rooted for them as well! I like drew brees.
Well right now we only have 12 on date. We had a big cleansing of our on date people the other week. A lot of them just weren't progressing. But the one's we have right now are stellar!
Btw.... i've been thinking about a couple of things first..... regarding byu... if i'm gonna go to winter semester we're probably gonna have to apply soon so i can get on priority! I'm gonna need every chance i can get if i'm gonna get in there!
And i don't know what you guys are thinking or feeling about coming here to pick me up! but if you want to do it then do it! But arrange with the office beforehand because as i said if i leave on a flight that they haven't booked then they won't pay for it.
So thats that!
Oh and i went to the temple like 3 weeks ago and we're going again this week! that will be so sweet! I always get pumped to go! Getting the mysteries of the kingdom unfolded upon me, good stuff!
But thanks for everything! i love you all so much!
the work is great i'm loving it!
the church is true!
-elder johnson
p.s. carrie said what she meant. She probably just had some sort of muscle spasm that caused her to point at kevin... yebo.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Letter to Youth in Our Ward
Hello Little Chillins.
Hows it goin?
This is Elder Michael Johnson Serving in the South Africa Johannesburg Mission.
Well, I just wanted to send a little message to you all. The topic of this message is About Testimony. First I'll say a little bit about mine. Then I'll give you some tips of how to build yours.
First and Foremost. I know that the church is true. I know that Joseph Smith is a Prophet of god. I know without a doubt, that the book of mormon is the word of god and because of that book I know that Jesus Christ is the Son Of God, the savior of the world and that he loves you and me.
Now many of you I'm sure, are a bit unsure regarding your testimonies of the gospel. Guess what.... That is NORMAL. But how will you be able to build a testimony of the gospel unless.... you try it out yourself. Here are a few suggestions that i have that will help your testimony of the gospel. IF you do these things, i promise that you WILL come to know that these things are true!
So.... here they are:
1. Pray. EVERY DAY.
Prayer is a conversation between you and the lord. Now if you want to know something regarding the lord, who better to ask than the lord himself? Remember it is a TWO WAY communication. Which means that just as you are talking to him, he will talk to you. The lord often answers us through the holy ghost. The holy ghost doesn't speak to our ears. but to our hearts. To find out the feelings that the holy ghost will bring to you read Galatians 5:22-23.
2. READ THE BOOK OF MORMON.... all of it!
The Book of Mormon is a very special book to me. I cannot begin to explain to you the difference that it has made in my life. It is through that book that i gained my testimony of the gospel. When i was about 16 to 17. I read the book from start to finish for the first time. Why??? Because I DIDN'T KNOW IF THESE THINGS WERE TRUE. and i WANTED TO KNOW IF IT WAS! Now if i would've only read 1 or 2 chapters i probably wouldn't have gotten my answer. But because i resolved to put the book to the test and follow the promise that is in Moroni 10:3-5. I did find out. My answer didn't come until i had read almost half the book. I still remember i was reading Alma Ch.31. As i read The holy ghost entered into my heart with such force that even to this day and probably for the rest of my life i will always remember that moment. I know without a doubt that the book of mormon is true, and you can too. Just Give it a shot!! Don't do it for me, don't do it for your parents, DO IT FOR YOU!
3. Be ACTIVE in your church meetings
I was notorious for sleeping through sacrament meeting. Just getting that out of the way. Don't worry i have repented! haha
But i'll tell you this you are only going to get out of church what you put into it. If you are active in the meetings then you will feel the spirit and you will learn something new. Trust me, i've tried it myself.
4. KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS(INCLUDING THE WORD OF WISDOM AND THE LAW OF CHASTITY)
Ok remember when you were 8 years old?? You were baptized and comfirmed a member of the church. You received the gift of the holy ghost. right?? But there were conditions(Mosiah 18) for you to have the holy ghost with you. One of those is to KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS!
So if you are trying to get an answer from the holy ghost then you need to be in the best position spiritually to feel it.
Now i know as a teenager the 2 commandments that are the hardest to keep are The word of wisdom and the law of chastity. DON'T LET SATAN HAVE HIS WAY WITH YOU. He is going to tempt you like crazy to break these commandments. Because he knows what these things will keep you from (temple marriage, missions, full activity in the church). Just keep these commandments. IF you are currently struggling with them go to the bishop. He is not there to be angry or to "call down the judgements of god upon you" he is there to HELP you. Keep these commandments. The lord will bless you and it will help you even more to know if these things are true.
The past 13 months have been the most amazing of my life. I would not want Any of you young men miss out on this opportunity simply because you didn't know if this was something you should do. So all i am asking you to do is give this a shot. And i promise you that you will know what you should do.
Young men and Young Women. Do not let anything get in the way of you and going to the temple. IT is the house of the lord. And the ordinances done there are real and eternal. they will bless your life and bring added strength to you.
Welp... Keep it real. Have Fun. But remember The Gospel is what will bring you the most happiness and fun. Things of the world are fun at the time but it doesn't last. the gospel does. Salagathe (stay well) Tot Siens(goodbye)
The Church is True.
-Elder Michael F. Johnson
Oh Boy! Oh Man! Oh Goodness! Oh Ya!
WOOOOO!!!
I heard the news already!! Guess who told me??? Michael F. Watson of the quorum of the seventy!
We had mission tour yesterday and when i told him i was from boise he said "I heard you guys won your big game" I was so pumped!!
Oh man. i am so happy! Mountain West Here WE COME!! haha
OH boy. oh man. oh goodness. oh ya!
Well Things are great this side. Elder Matunya is a SKOKO(stud)!!
He's doing a great job. He's really making my job easy. It's almost like having a normal missionary. All i do is try to set a good example and work hard. Then iron out a few minor things here and there!
But it was a sweet week though, Obert went out teaching with us!(he'd been a member for like 4 days) We thought he'd be nervous and not say much but when we gave him a chance to bear testimony...... IT WAS POWER! He was just saying all this stuff about how the gospel has change his life, it's changed his family, there is so much more love in the home, that they wish they could be at church every sunday and all this other stuff... and then he was like " You guys need to come to church on sunday. You should come with us. You guys need to come over to our house sometime and see what this has done in our home!"
HE WAS FELLOWSHIPPING LIKE A MAD MAN!
it was awesome!
So, needless to say.... he's coming back out with us again this week.
And we met another awesome family from Malawi. It's a husband and wife. Angus and Jane. I swear if we baptize all of these people the ward is going to be all imigrants soon! haha
So all is well this side. Let me know where our beloved broncos end up in the polls. Keep me updated on all the other good stuff. keep the family rolling!
Oh and an update on my "10 1/2 months to sexy" plan. I was at 170 pounds this morning. meaning that since i began 3 weeks ago i have lost 5-8 pounds. I cant remember where i started. The plan has consisted of Exersising more and eating less. and it's worked. pretty amazing eh???
Welp i hope you all have an awesome week. Work with the missionaries in Boise, Show them the love that you hope i'm getting this side.
The Church is True!
-elder johnson
I heard the news already!! Guess who told me??? Michael F. Watson of the quorum of the seventy!
We had mission tour yesterday and when i told him i was from boise he said "I heard you guys won your big game" I was so pumped!!
Oh man. i am so happy! Mountain West Here WE COME!! haha
OH boy. oh man. oh goodness. oh ya!
Well Things are great this side. Elder Matunya is a SKOKO(stud)!!
He's doing a great job. He's really making my job easy. It's almost like having a normal missionary. All i do is try to set a good example and work hard. Then iron out a few minor things here and there!
But it was a sweet week though, Obert went out teaching with us!(he'd been a member for like 4 days) We thought he'd be nervous and not say much but when we gave him a chance to bear testimony...... IT WAS POWER! He was just saying all this stuff about how the gospel has change his life, it's changed his family, there is so much more love in the home, that they wish they could be at church every sunday and all this other stuff... and then he was like " You guys need to come to church on sunday. You should come with us. You guys need to come over to our house sometime and see what this has done in our home!"
HE WAS FELLOWSHIPPING LIKE A MAD MAN!
it was awesome!
So, needless to say.... he's coming back out with us again this week.
And we met another awesome family from Malawi. It's a husband and wife. Angus and Jane. I swear if we baptize all of these people the ward is going to be all imigrants soon! haha
So all is well this side. Let me know where our beloved broncos end up in the polls. Keep me updated on all the other good stuff. keep the family rolling!
Oh and an update on my "10 1/2 months to sexy" plan. I was at 170 pounds this morning. meaning that since i began 3 weeks ago i have lost 5-8 pounds. I cant remember where i started. The plan has consisted of Exersising more and eating less. and it's worked. pretty amazing eh???
Welp i hope you all have an awesome week. Work with the missionaries in Boise, Show them the love that you hope i'm getting this side.
The Church is True!
-elder johnson
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