Monday, July 11, 2016

I suppose this is it...

Well I suppose this is it. I’ve thought a little bit about what I want to say but I really don’t know where to start and where to end. My whole life I’ve wanted to do what I am doing right now. I’ve sung, dreamt and strived be on a mission. It’s been all I expected and more. No poet or world renowned writer motivational speaker could express what’s happened the last 2 years of my life. I am forever grateful for my Savior. I love these people here with my whole heart. It’s going to be hard to leave but, if I’ve learned anything, it’s the Lord will be with me as long as I let Him. He will get me through every step I take with Him.

Please ask me about my mission when I get home. Please come up to me and ask for a funny story or a miracle I witnessed or anything about this 2 years! I will share the message of the restoration in a minute or tell a 3-hour long story… whatever you want. I love my God. I love his children I love His son, Jesus.

Elder Johnson


Monday, July 4, 2016

I suppose this dream is about to end...

Holy smokes what a week! Elder Bird got a pretty gnarly concision on Monday but still worked. He’s a good kid to treat me so well. He understands how important it is to me to keep working.

At the end of a race there is always a big voice in your head telling you to slow down or stop. But at the end of the race you also have a new sense of inspiration knowing the end is near. You understand that if you don’t give it your best now, you will feel regret later and not live up to what you’ve worked so hard to be.

A mission, I feel, is similar but different in a few ways. In a mission there is no 1st or last place. No medals should be awarded. After crossing the finish line of a mission you can choose to take a breather and rest or keep going. As I understand it, when I cross the mission finish line next Wednesday I get to work just as hard with a similar purpose as I have had on a mission but doing it from a different perspective. 

I had my last interview with President Blatter this week. I have loved serving with that man. I feel so blessed to to have him direct this work while I have served here. I feel as if he has taught me at every chance he has by testifying of Christ.

Well, I suppose this dream is about to end. But until I get on that plane I’m going to have one more magical week. I’ve wanted to serve a mission ever since I was a child and I am forever grateful I served a mission here. 

-Elder Thomas Johnson