It started with Monday night when I got home and got a really sweet letter from my beautiful mom. Then on Tuesday I got a call from the elders in the Tumwater 2nd Ward telling me that there was a lady I taught 6 months ago who was getting baptized. I was the one who found her and she asked me to baptize her. It was really heart touching to know she remembered me and felt close enough to ask me to be with her.
Needless to say, Saturday was wonderful! I got to go back down south to get in the water with Debra. The spirit was very strong as always. But during the closing hymn of (How Great Thou Art) it was a special moment. And as the week continued on we saw wonderful tender mercies We met 4 separate people this week who agreed to be baptized on October 10th.
I do have a firm testimony of being humble. I’ve noticed it throughout my whole life. I know that as we are humble and don't proclaim about our-self and remember there is always someone else who is in-charge. I know that if we are not humble we will be humbled. And that is not easy... I’m grateful for the humbling experience this mission has been and continues to be.
I love you all. Thank you for the constant support. It means a lot.
-Elder Johnson
Monday, September 28, 2015
Monday, September 21, 2015
It’s been a good week as always...
Well it’s been a good week as always. We had transfer meeting Tuesday where me and Elder Werk picked up our new greenie (Elder Porter) and the 4th elder in the foursome (Elder Chesley). It is the same situation I was in when I first came in the mission. Except now I’m the zone leader and not the greenie. So, both me and Elder Werk are training Elder Porter. I really enjoy being in a foursome. It’s nice to be able to switch things up and be with new people often.
We had a cool experience this week of finding a lot of success in finding new people to teach. It’s odd though… most of the people we found to teach this week were 14-18 year old boys. In the past I haven’t had much success with that age group but it’s really cool to see how the Lord has prepared each one of the kids throughout their own life to be baptized.
We also had stake conference this past weekend and it was focused on councils, family councils ward councils etc... at first I thought "pssh this doesn't apply to me, I don't have a family council I’m on a mission." But then I quickly repented and realized that I will have a family sometime. The more I learn now the better person I’ll be later for God and my family. I need all the help I can get so I better learn all I can when I can.
Other than that it’s been a blast. It’s a lot of fun being with four people. It’s very stressful but well worth it. I know that worse things have happened and I have been learning a lot from a lot of people.
-Elder Johnson
We had a cool experience this week of finding a lot of success in finding new people to teach. It’s odd though… most of the people we found to teach this week were 14-18 year old boys. In the past I haven’t had much success with that age group but it’s really cool to see how the Lord has prepared each one of the kids throughout their own life to be baptized.
We also had stake conference this past weekend and it was focused on councils, family councils ward councils etc... at first I thought "pssh this doesn't apply to me, I don't have a family council I’m on a mission." But then I quickly repented and realized that I will have a family sometime. The more I learn now the better person I’ll be later for God and my family. I need all the help I can get so I better learn all I can when I can.
Other than that it’s been a blast. It’s a lot of fun being with four people. It’s very stressful but well worth it. I know that worse things have happened and I have been learning a lot from a lot of people.
-Elder Johnson
Tuesday, September 15, 2015
I was really able to see his full circle of his conversion...
Well transfer calls are here! I am staying here in Silverdale with Elder Werk. We are getting 2 other missionaries to join us though! I am excited to be in a 4-some again. It’s been almost a year since I have been in one and I really enjoy it. It has been a good transfer. It’s always a good transfer when you’re on a mission though.
Well the coolest thing that happened this week was last night. There was a baptism of a man I got pretty close to down in Olympia. And since we haven't had one in the past six weeks it was really a great reminder of God’s love for all of us and of the perfect timing he has for everything. It was really special. The last time I saw this man he was drunk as a skunk. So I feel I was really able to see his full circle of his conversion. The man I saw last night enter the waters was a whole different person. Most the time in the mission you get to see the change and since it happens so gradually you don't see the big picture and see how huge the change can be. So it was special to take a step back for 8 or so months and then go see the product of months of getting to know Christ and using the atonement.
Well sorry to cut it short this week. We’ve got a bit of a drive today so I gotta go. I love you all and are so, so grateful for the support I receive from everyone. It means the world.
-Elder Johnson
dad: Yeah, so it’s a pretty big zone 20 missionaries now. We only travel for exchanges and we go to district meeting up north sometimes and that’s about a 30 min drive. For transfers we will be going to pick up the 2 new people. So it’s nice not to have to worry about any of our stuff!
Well the coolest thing that happened this week was last night. There was a baptism of a man I got pretty close to down in Olympia. And since we haven't had one in the past six weeks it was really a great reminder of God’s love for all of us and of the perfect timing he has for everything. It was really special. The last time I saw this man he was drunk as a skunk. So I feel I was really able to see his full circle of his conversion. The man I saw last night enter the waters was a whole different person. Most the time in the mission you get to see the change and since it happens so gradually you don't see the big picture and see how huge the change can be. So it was special to take a step back for 8 or so months and then go see the product of months of getting to know Christ and using the atonement.
Well sorry to cut it short this week. We’ve got a bit of a drive today so I gotta go. I love you all and are so, so grateful for the support I receive from everyone. It means the world.
-Elder Johnson
dad: Yeah, so it’s a pretty big zone 20 missionaries now. We only travel for exchanges and we go to district meeting up north sometimes and that’s about a 30 min drive. For transfers we will be going to pick up the 2 new people. So it’s nice not to have to worry about any of our stuff!
Monday, September 7, 2015
I love being here so much...
Well it was a busy, busy week full of meetings on top of meetings! All went very well. A meeting that was really unique this week was zone conference. The topic was obstacles that we come across as missionaries and very specific solutions for them. But the part I really enjoyed was the topic of hope. We talked about and how we all need both a firm hope and a sure hope in Christ.
The other meeting was MLC (mission leadership council) where we talked a lot about leadership skills and how we can help others (missionaries, members, investigators). It was a really inspiring meeting as we, as leaders, were able to get together, get motivated and then be able to carry that back to the missionaries we serve.
As a mission this week were fasting to be more effective with members. We saw results real quick as we went to ward council and had a wonderful discussion with them. We saw the whole ward council get more exited about the work. I know it’s so small but it means so much to see these tender mercies all over.
I love being here so much. I’ve had so many blessing and I think I’ve noticed a lot of them. But I know there are so many more that I don’t even realize or recognize. I’ve been trying more and more to recognize them. It’s something I pray very specifically for. I LOVE this mission. It’s meant the world to me. If someone out there is just thinking about a mission… start preparing for one! At least it will not hurt you.
Everyone be safe this week. You'll be in my prayers.
-Elder Johnson
The other meeting was MLC (mission leadership council) where we talked a lot about leadership skills and how we can help others (missionaries, members, investigators). It was a really inspiring meeting as we, as leaders, were able to get together, get motivated and then be able to carry that back to the missionaries we serve.
As a mission this week were fasting to be more effective with members. We saw results real quick as we went to ward council and had a wonderful discussion with them. We saw the whole ward council get more exited about the work. I know it’s so small but it means so much to see these tender mercies all over.
I love being here so much. I’ve had so many blessing and I think I’ve noticed a lot of them. But I know there are so many more that I don’t even realize or recognize. I’ve been trying more and more to recognize them. It’s something I pray very specifically for. I LOVE this mission. It’s meant the world to me. If someone out there is just thinking about a mission… start preparing for one! At least it will not hurt you.
Everyone be safe this week. You'll be in my prayers.
-Elder Johnson
Monday, August 31, 2015
Always feeling God in my life...
Well… this week I wasn't with my normal companion for most the time. We went on exchanges with the district leaders in the zone. Its always hard for me to leave my own area because I like to take care of that area myself. But I guess that's something I’m going to need to get over.
I had a lot of fun on the exchanges. We just go throughout our normal day but with a different companion and different area sometimes. One pretty funny experience we had on exchanges was with Elder Stevens. We were knocking doors out in the country and were on a doorstep when we smelled weed (not unusual). But I was looking around for some butts or something. But then I looked at the front garden bed which was about 10x25 ft. It was all marijuana plants! I had never seen so many in my life in one place. AND… we got a return appointment with the lady who answered the door. But anyways, that was the exiting moment of the week!
So I don't know if I’ve ever told you but each week in the mission we have a specific goal we try to get. This past week it was to have 80 church tours. A church tour is when we take an investigating person to the church house and show them around it. It can be difficult because we have to have someone take time and drive over to the building. But our area saw a lot of success. This week we took a few people on the church tours and the spirit is so strong… just naturally. What a great place to have a lesson!
Anyways, I have had a great week as usual. Always feeling God in my life. Lately I’ve been praying to recognize the blessings more. I know I have the blessings in my life and I feel like I do notice a lot of them. But I know there are countless out there so I encourage you to do the same. This week try to spot one blessing you might have not noticed before and thank God for it.
-Elder Johnson
I had a lot of fun on the exchanges. We just go throughout our normal day but with a different companion and different area sometimes. One pretty funny experience we had on exchanges was with Elder Stevens. We were knocking doors out in the country and were on a doorstep when we smelled weed (not unusual). But I was looking around for some butts or something. But then I looked at the front garden bed which was about 10x25 ft. It was all marijuana plants! I had never seen so many in my life in one place. AND… we got a return appointment with the lady who answered the door. But anyways, that was the exiting moment of the week!
So I don't know if I’ve ever told you but each week in the mission we have a specific goal we try to get. This past week it was to have 80 church tours. A church tour is when we take an investigating person to the church house and show them around it. It can be difficult because we have to have someone take time and drive over to the building. But our area saw a lot of success. This week we took a few people on the church tours and the spirit is so strong… just naturally. What a great place to have a lesson!
Anyways, I have had a great week as usual. Always feeling God in my life. Lately I’ve been praying to recognize the blessings more. I know I have the blessings in my life and I feel like I do notice a lot of them. But I know there are countless out there so I encourage you to do the same. This week try to spot one blessing you might have not noticed before and thank God for it.
-Elder Johnson
Monday, August 24, 2015
I have really enjoyed this transfer so far...
Well what a weird week... not much has happened but seemed to be way busy. I guess the big thing of the week is a recent convert moved Saturday to Florida. So, that was kind of hard to say goodbye.
Umm since apparently eastern Washington has been burning up we have a lot of smoke over on this side of the mountains. I feel like I’m back in Cache Valley in the winter walking around outside.
I have really enjoyed this transfer so far. I feel I’ve been blessed with learning more about how being more and more focused on others bring greater blessing to everyone involved. I think of the Savior’s life and how it was centered on others. How much time he spent sharing everything he knew. I love these people I’m around here. I love the missionaries I serve. I love the people who lead me in the mission. And more than anything, I love the people I get to teach this gospel to. What a great, beautiful thing to be able to do this for 2 years and carry these lessons throughout my whole life.
I hope everyone at home is safe. I love you guys and miss you very much!
-Elder Johnson
Umm since apparently eastern Washington has been burning up we have a lot of smoke over on this side of the mountains. I feel like I’m back in Cache Valley in the winter walking around outside.
I have really enjoyed this transfer so far. I feel I’ve been blessed with learning more about how being more and more focused on others bring greater blessing to everyone involved. I think of the Savior’s life and how it was centered on others. How much time he spent sharing everything he knew. I love these people I’m around here. I love the missionaries I serve. I love the people who lead me in the mission. And more than anything, I love the people I get to teach this gospel to. What a great, beautiful thing to be able to do this for 2 years and carry these lessons throughout my whole life.
I hope everyone at home is safe. I love you guys and miss you very much!
-Elder Johnson
Monday, August 17, 2015
Finding solutions...
Well exiting week! The pictures that are up (http://calledtoservewa-tac.blogspot.com/2015/08/mlc-81415.html) are from MLC we had an awesome training by Elder Blunck. Always a great place to receive revelation for the areas we cover. It was really nice to have the spiritual high but the meetings are always very long and tiring. I really loved that one thing we focused on and that is the "finding solutions". And just how nothing in life will happen until we search out a solution to a problem. And the fact that problems find us often but we have to find the solutions.
Anyways onto the crazy story of the week… so one of the first people I helped get baptized was a man in Tacoma named Eddie Johnson. We found him knocking doors. He was in his 60's and kind of lived a lonely life. He has one of the darkest pasts I’ve heard in my life. He wasn’t in contact with much of his family so the gospel brought a lot of comfort and peace to a old soul. He overcame a lot of additions before being baptized. Needless to say, he is very dear to me.
Anyways, back to the present in Silverdale… we were meeting all less active and recent converts in the area. So me met a gal named June who, with her kids, joined the church about a year ago. But, with a lot of crazy changes of missionaries in the ward, she kind of fell through the cracks and stopped meeting with them. We got talking to her. She said the night before she had called her step dad to talk to him for the first time in 6 years. They were both surprised when they heard the other one had joined the church! And to my surprise June’s step dad is Eddie!! What an incredible thing to see. What a great blessing for me. It is something so small that means so much to me. Call me simple minded, but it’s one of the greatest blessings for me on my mission.
Anyways, I love you all and hope all is safe. I love it here in the WA TAC. It’s very holy ground to me and I’ve gained a testimony of many gospel principles while being here. I love and miss you.
Elder Johnson
Anyways onto the crazy story of the week… so one of the first people I helped get baptized was a man in Tacoma named Eddie Johnson. We found him knocking doors. He was in his 60's and kind of lived a lonely life. He has one of the darkest pasts I’ve heard in my life. He wasn’t in contact with much of his family so the gospel brought a lot of comfort and peace to a old soul. He overcame a lot of additions before being baptized. Needless to say, he is very dear to me.
Anyways, back to the present in Silverdale… we were meeting all less active and recent converts in the area. So me met a gal named June who, with her kids, joined the church about a year ago. But, with a lot of crazy changes of missionaries in the ward, she kind of fell through the cracks and stopped meeting with them. We got talking to her. She said the night before she had called her step dad to talk to him for the first time in 6 years. They were both surprised when they heard the other one had joined the church! And to my surprise June’s step dad is Eddie!! What an incredible thing to see. What a great blessing for me. It is something so small that means so much to me. Call me simple minded, but it’s one of the greatest blessings for me on my mission.
Anyways, I love you all and hope all is safe. I love it here in the WA TAC. It’s very holy ground to me and I’ve gained a testimony of many gospel principles while being here. I love and miss you.
Elder Johnson
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