Sometimes we listen to satan's lie that the Gospel is hard to live. The Gospel is not hard to live! "LIFE is hard! .....NOT the Gospel!"

Hello my friends and family!!!

I just wanted to share something that I learned like,,,,10 minutes ago! haha.

Please excuse the terrible typing......I"m going fast because I have LOADS to share!!!

It's SUPSER long. but I promise you will not regret reading!!!

Soooo!!! This last week was GREAT. I got my new companion Elder Hinckley! From Syracuse Utah!

He is AWESOME. super obedient and very diligent!! And YES he's related to the Prophet!!!

Gordon B Hinckley is his...great great great grandpa's...brother's....grandson.....?

yup!!!! Totally companion's with a future General Authority! that's right. BE JEALOUS.

hahaha.anywho. The work has been picking up like CRAZYYYYY!!!!! we taught loads of lessons!! and even  picked up a new investigator named Kelleka~!!!! wow talk about PREPARRREDDDD!!!!

She investigated mannnny years ago and still kept in touch with the sisters that taught her. She is still friends with them too!!! Her children have some health problems. Her 8 month old twins were born prematurely hand are VERY receptive to getting sick! SO when they get sick she ends up in the hospital!  She went there a few weeks ago and met two missionaries! She caught them and said "I know who you are! I know about you're church! Please come and visit me!"

Her info was passed along and we got to see her last saturday!!!  wowowowowowww!!! as we taught her she said "I remember that!"almost a million times! wow. Goes to show the slightest little bit of truth from God can stay in your heart forever :))))  anywho!! yesterday was AAMMAMAMMAMAMAAAAZZZINGGGG1!!!

okay! So the Greensburg area had a baptism yesterday!!!!! and We got permission to go there and attend the baptism!!! it was so great! to make it even better! Elder Hinckley (comp) 's trainer Elder Hunsaker also got to go to! and lo and behold Elder Hunsaker's companion is ELDER BIRRELLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MY FIRST SONNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Get this! so 8 MISSIONARIES all went to this baptism in Greensburg! Where Elder Gish was just transferred to!!!! I got to see both of my sons!!! (greenies) Talk about a happy dad! (trainer haha)

Sorry this email is exploding with too much happiness.

WHICH BRINGS ME TO MY NEXT POINT!!!!

The Gospel IS happiness!!! Weird right? wrong! The Gospel IS happiness. We are EXPONENTIALLY happier when we are immersed in the Gospel. With lives dedicated and consecrated to Christ. Sometimes we listen to satan's lie that the Gospel is hard to live. 

FALSE. The Gospel is not hard to live!   "LIFE is hard! .....NOT the Gospel!"

The Gospel ENHANCES life. It enriches blesses, inspires and motivates. With the knowledge of the Gospel comes a feeling and sense of deep abiding and spiritual BELONGING. With the Gospel comes PEACE. With the Gospel comes REVELATION one of my personal favorites!

With the Gospel comes more happiness than we can ever have ANYWHERE else!!!

As we devote ourselves EVEN more to following Christ. our burdens are made light! I've been studying the Book of Mormon every day, reading 8 pages daily. As I came across the chapters in Alma about war. one phrase or theme has stuck out every time. DELIVERANCE.

The World teaches us that in order to escape challenges and difficulty we should sin!

Is that backwards or what?!?!?!? That's like saying....."Why hello there mister, I'm sorry you're struggling right now, Why don't you drink this rat poison?"

With the Gospel! we understand that in oder to face life's challenges we must turn to our Almighty creator. Even our Loving Heavenly Father. I find it quite humbling and comforting, that out of ALLLL the terms and phrases of deity that God deserves, He as asked us. His most Beloved Creations, to refer to and address Him as FATHER.

I testify that the Gospel will get us out of any pickle we might be in! I testify that God does love us and hears EVERY word we pray. I testify He is SO aware and DEEPLY engaged in blessing our lives. I encourage all of you to try something that I have done which has DEEPLY enriched my relationship with My Father in Heaven.

In the Scriptures the phrase "pour out" is often used to describe prayer. Think of your emotional well being as a glass pitcher. Every time you feel emotion (stress, happiness, sadness, pain) a splash of water is thrown into your pitcher. As you live life it gets more full and occupies your pitcher. Sooner or later you get full!!! You're at the brim! You feel sick, overwhelmed! Nothing makes sense anymore! God tries to teach you more!but He can't! Because you're too full!

So?!??! the solution???? Pray to God, and POUR OUT!! just dump out your feelings to Heavenly Father. Everything!!!!! DUMP IT OOUTTTT. Pour out every drop until you can't think of anything more to say!!! Then when you're empty God can teach you more!  "Pour out, so God can Pour in!"

I know that doing so will bless you immensely. I have had SUCH great peace and joy by praying like that and I feel Like I'm really talking to a person that cares enough to listen even if I think He doesn't. He DOES. He DOES care. Anywho. I love you all. I hope this email has helped or blessed you in some way! But Most importantly I really hope you understand WHO YOU ARE AS SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF GOD.

I testify this work is true! and REAL!  I testify Christ does live, and will DELIVER us as we repent and put our trust in Him! In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

  Elder Johnson

Many miracles happened this week. Even today!

Well I've got a surprise!

President Johnson called and Elder Gish is being transferred tomorrow!

Weird huh!?!?

I'm getting my new companion tomorrow! He's Elder Hinckley and he's AWESOME!

I kinda already know him, so I'm EXCITEDDDD!!!!

Elder Gish is still in our stake luckily! So I'll get to see him at stake conferences and zone meetings. Which I'm super grateful for.

Many miracles happened this week. Even today!

We haven't been able to see Darnell FOR EVVVVVERRRRR. We've called and called and called and called and HAS NOT ANSWERED!!!! we were super sad about that.....It's been almost 4 weeks!!!

BUT! today I just had a thought "Hey maybe you should try him again?"

So I sent a text and HE RESPONDED!!!!! WE'RE SEEING HIM TONIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hope it all goes well! 

Anywho. Sorry this one is short, but know that I love each and everyone of you so very much.

I just wanted to share my testimony that our Heavenly Father is EVER aware of us and our needs! We may not realize it, but He is watching over us always.

“And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.” D&C 84:88

I beg of you to please be those angels for someone else. There's no greater feeling than knowing you've been an answer to someone's prayer. 

I love you all and leave you my testimony that Christ does live and His Atonement is real, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Elder Johnson

Pics: so much SNOWWWW

I encourage you all to share the Gospel! Doing so will bless us more than we can imagine.

Hey there family and friends!

This week was great!  It was filled with many answers to prayers! 

Elder Gish and I set a goal this week to be EXACTLY OBEDIENT!!

We're excited to see what happens! This week we're going to do our absolute

best to be on time to things and keeping the mission rules!

Next week expect to hear some amazing experiences!

I just wanted to share a simple experience that fueled my faith.

Last week we were able to see Victoria and JJ. And Victoria! Who is LOVING the Gospel INVITED HER FRIEND FROM WORK. Wow, You should've seen the look on her face when the lesson was over. She looked like a completely different person.

We taught the Plan of Salvation. Everything was going so great. Victoria was just EATING it all up! She even picked up the Book of Mormon and told her friend that this was what she needed in her life! 

She's ALREADY sharing the Gospel!

I encourage you all to share the Gospel! Doing so will bless us more than we can imagine. In my head, when I think about what it is like to prepare to meet the Savior. I imagine us walking upward toward a bright light. I imagine a pathway to Christ, and a line of people on both sides. I think of familiar faces greeting us with cheers. Among the people, are the faces of every person we've ever blessed. A few will be familiar, most will be people we've never met, thanking us for the good we've done. Many will have tears flowing from their eyes, thanking us for sharing the Gospel with them.

I think of the words in D&C 18

 13 And how great is his joy in the soul that repenteth

 15 And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!

 16 And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!

I love you all! Thanks for your great examples :)

I know this Gospel is true! I know that we can share it! :)

I testify that this Church really is true. I really know it. I know that Jesus Christ Lives. I know that Heavenly Father lives and LOVES us :) In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen :)  LOVE

There's a quote that says

"Obedience brings blessings, Exact obedience brings MIRACLES."

We set a goal this week to be exactly obedient... so I made neat little reminders and stuck them around

our apt!

It is no coincidence that the only sunday she had available was when Elder Gish was asked to speak.

Hey there friends and family!!!!

this week was AWESOME.

Okay! story time!!!

So Victoria is EATING UP THE GOSPEL. Sheesh! It is CRAZY. how receptive she iss!!!!!

This week we taught her the Restoration and really emphasied the blessings and privilege of having a Prophet. and the Priesthood RESTORED. 

I have greatly under appreciated the Priesthood. wow.

As we taught her the Spirit was strong. There at the lesson was Victoria, and JJ, her boyfriend who has been investigating for over 2 years, but can't join the church because he has struggled with smoking. Pray for himmm!!!!!! Then her and a member there got in a little tiff.....

and started to argue a little bit. I felt the Spirit leave the room......The member left the room.

She went up to apologize. After she came back we said another prayer for the Spirit to come back. We all knelt, and as the prayer was offered we felt the Holy Ghost come back.

As we completed the Restoration we told her that she could pray and ask God, and find out for herself if what we've taught is really true. She told us she had so many doubts and that she was unsure which church to join.

Then Elder Gish invited her to come to church. He said he was afraid though. He said that he was going to be speaking in church and that his topic would help her get an answer.

Victoria's jaw dropped to the floor. She was in awe!

We looked at her in a puzzled look and asked her why.

She told us that very day, she was speaking with JJ and said "I think I'd like to go to church this upcoming sunday!"

It is no coincidence that the only sunday she had available was when Elder Gish was asked to speak.

Elder Gish alter told me after the lesson that when he was asked to give a talk just hours earlier, the Branch President gave him two topics to choose from. He prayed and asked God which one would best serve His children. In that lesson with Victoria he had received his answer, and knew that was what Victoria needed to hear. The topic is, "working on getting an answer from God"

It is so wonderful being a missionary. There are no greater joys. I"m so grateful to be a missionary. I"m so grateful I got to leave at 18 and not 19. Had I left at 19 I"ms ure I would've felt overcome by the pressures of the world and so preoccupied I would not have felt the impressions to leave on a mission.

I testify that Heavenly Father indeed lives.I testify of His INFINITE love. I testify that He is always looking for ways to bless us. He is anxiously waiting to answer our prayers.

I invite you to test His word! I invite you to pray from your heart and ask Him sincerely if the Book of Mormon is true. My words echo that of Moroni who said.

"And if ye shall ask with a sincere heart. With real intent. He will manifest the truth unto you by the power of the Holy Ghost. and by the power of the Holy Ghost, Ye may know the truth of all things."

I know these words are true. For I have done so. and I have seen that promise come true with each person I taught that prayed with a sincere heart, and was willing to act on that which was revealed. and above all, had true Faith in Christ. If you have not done so. Please...

DO SO! 

A testimony of the Restored Gospel and of Christ will help you through all challenges. It will be the life preserver thrown when tossed by stormy winds and waves.

I love you all. Thanks for your love :)  and your PRAYERS. I have felt so much strength. WHen I feel ready to give up, I somehow find the strength, and I can keep going. Thank you.

I testify that Christ does live and love us. I testify that the Book of Mormon is true. I testify that this church has the very Priesthood authority that Christ Himself had and does have. I testify we have that today. And that it's power and authority is blessing us in our homes.

I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen :)

With love.
Elder Johnson

I've got 2 miracles to share with you. It's a long read, so I'm sorry. But every word is worth it I promise :)

Oh my goodness this week was AMAZING.

MIRACLES ARE REAL MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY!

auigbahnAr:OIHAE;IOHADFH!!!!

I'm freaking out! In a good way!!!!!

Alrighty. I've got 2 miracles to share with you. It's a long read, so I'm sorry. But every word is worth it

I promise :)

So first off. Remember when I was serving in Pitt 3rd? That was almost exactly a year ago. Anywho. The Elders that are serving there now contacted me and told me a story that brings so much joy to my heart, that I want to share with you. A year ago Elder Birrell and I were heading over to an appointment in Turtle Creek. We were a little early to the appointment. Luckily Elder Birrell and I wanted to be as consecrated as possible, so we had set a goal a week earlier to spend extra time on the phone or knocking on doors if we weren't doing anything. We chose the latter. We were on our way and soon felt inspired to try a door. It was quite a walk to get to the door, but we hiked up their walkway. We knocked on the door. A woman answered, we introduced ourselves as missionaries. She introduced herself as Amie. We asked if we could share a message with her about Christ. We were astonished beyond measure when she agreed and let us in. We were so surprised. She was in a jumble trying to get things together since her family was going to leave on a vacation. I looked at my watch. We were going to be late to our appointment. We told her that we would be back to see her in an hour, she was excited for our return. We left her a pass along card. We went to our appointment, then came back to see Amie. Her husband answered and we were shocked. He said "We're not interested!" And slammed the door sternly.. Disheartened that was the last we heard of Amie.      

A year later, the Elders serving in the Pitt 3rd ward contacted me and told me they had received a referral through their phone for a woman. They contacted her over the phone. She indicated that last winter in the month of January, 2 LDS missionaries had knocked on her door and invited her to learn. She said that since she had written off the idea of learning about our church. But the thought of those 2 young missionaries kept coming to her mind. So she decided to give the church one more try. She then had requested a missionary visit. Her name on the referral information appeared as....Amie.

The second miracle I wanted to share with you.

We've got a new investigator named Victoria! The one who I mentioned in an earlier email who basically asked "how do I become a mormon?" We had a lesson with her that changed my life. We were very nervous for this lesson. Present was a less active man who we were afraid would scare her off. We prayed fervently that the Spirit would not be hindered and would be the teacher. We proceeded to read some scriptures. We felt inspired to follow up on her invitation to read from Moroni 10:4-5. Moroni's promise that all sincere seekers for truth could pray and ask God if the Book of Mormon was true, and receive an answer. She confessed that she had not read it until that morning. But a smile came across her face. We inquired. She told us that all week prior to that day, she was thinking very deeply about Gifts from God, and how He is the same Yesterday, Today, and Forever. She was thinking about it so much that she shared with her close friend her feelings about it. She was thinking a bout it all week long. 

Remembering our appointment she read the assigned verses, but instead, continued to read the entire chapter. Moroni 10 also shares and speaks of the Gifts from God, and how He is the same, Yesterday, today, and forever. She was baffled and in awe. "There was no coincidence there!" She told us. She knew God was directing her and giving her a sign. 

I felt prompted to share an experience with her. I shared a tender experience how God had answered my prayer too. The Spirit entered the room. She then shared with us her many miraculous experiences in which God had proven that He was watching over her. We bore our testimonies. As I did so, I said "I just know this church is so true. I just know it" That was all I could say.

Victoria cut me off and looked me dead in the eye. She said 

"I know, that you know..."

"I can feel it coming off from you! You just believe it so strongly! I can feel it! I want that so badly."

It was a wonderful and powerful experience. One I will not soon forget. I was humbled to realize and know that God truly answers His children and is leading them all to His Truth.

I really do know this church is true. I know that God is indeed our Loving Heavenly Father. He loves us more than we can understand. As it is said "My thoughts are higher than your thoughts, my ways are higher than your ways" He truly does know all, and He is orchestrating miracles and wonders! I testify that Christ is the Son of God! He LIVES! I know that He Atoned for our sins. We can be healed and strengthened by our Savior's Atoning sacrifice.

In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

LOVE, Elder Johnson

I love you all so stinkin much. Your prayers and support has carried me far into the field and is sustaining me each day.

Hello my friends and family!!!

There's a quote my dad sent me that says "Your mission is preparation, it is your school for eternity"

I have definitely learned that that quote is true.

And so instead of sharing the experiences I've had with others like usual, I want to share the experiences I've had, with the Lord...

These past few months have been very difficult. Very hard and harrowing even. I've felt great adversity and little hope. I feel as though it was the easiest time for me to call it quits. I can easily say that these past few months have been the most difficult of my life. I have felt a lot of adversity.

Through these challenges and experiences I've learned that the only one that keeps us from salvation is not others, is not the experiences or trials and situations we have...

It's ourselves.

I've learned that the principle of agency is used much more than we realize. Our progression to eternal life is one BIG sum of consistent uses of our agency. Our salvation and exaltation is determined by US. In a sense, WE determine what kingdom of Glory is received by how well we use our time in mortality. It's as simple as that.

I also wanted to share that my testimony of the Atonement has grown exponentially!! 

 I felt like I didn't really understand it very well, so Elder Gish and I both set goals to read the entire Book of Mormon within our 2 transfers together. AKA 3 months. I started studying the Book of Mormon really focusing in on scriptures that I've found related to the Atonement.

Here's what I learned.

It's real.

Use it.

It's as simple as that. :) I love you all so stinkin much. Your prayers and support has carried me far into the field and is sustaining me each day. Your love as been propelling me up and forever onward. Thank you so much for you kindness. It often brings tears to my eyes to read and hear how much you love me, and the Lord. And I cannot possibly repay you all for that. Truly your kindness has magnified my desire to serve. Thank you for "loving me" in my mission. It helps tremendously. I want to share the greatest gift I have with those here in PA.

They don't know, "they are kept from the Truth, only because they know not where to find it"

And I want them to have it! I love you all. I want to give myself to the Lord and do all that He has in store for us as His Children. I testify from my heart, as sincerely as I can, that God's love is real, and incomprehensibly close to us. I testify that Christ 's Atonement is real, and that He truly does Live and love us. I testify that the Book of Mormon is true. I testify this Church is Led by a Prophet of God and He knows the way. in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

With love,

Elder Johnson

Pics

my comp is awesomeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

dinner with the Zebroski's again!

I remember the Savior & His Atonement & how much HE SUFFERED and GAVE for me. The beautiful gifts that came from Jesus Christ.

Christmas was SOOOO GREAT. Thank you soooo much everyone for making it

a fantastic Christmas. You're all such wonderful examples to me.

This week has been SO wonderful!!! We've got a potential investigator named Victoria. She is SAO READY FOR THE GOSPEL IT'S RIDICULOUS. She basically asked us "how can I become a mormon?" WOW. Is she prepared or WHAT. I"m so excited to teach her!

Christmas was WONDERFUL. Our district of 9 missionaries went around nursing homes and caroled. I was privileged to use my violin, and it was a HIT. Everyone was in awe as I played. I didn't care about playing the violin, it was just amazing to be able to share. The elderly were so appreciative that we came and sang for them. Some were in tears. They thanked us graciously. Many kind words were spoken and the Spirit was evidently felt by all. It was amazing to give. I will remember this Christmas for all of my life. It was not a sacrifice at all, but a blessing. 

Through my trials and difficulty. I remember the Savior and His Atonement and how much HE SUFFERED and GAVE for me. The beautiful gifts that came from Jesus Christ.

Wow, I am forever grateful to a loving Heavenly Father who gave so much for me. I pray, that in turn I can repay Him with what I can offer. I realized a mission is so very short in comparison to the Lord eternal sense of time. It is a blink of an eye! This is an extremely short time. I want to make the best of it!

I love you all .Thank you for your kindness and your love. You all have helped me in tremendous and beautiful ways. I truly know that Jesus Christ lives. I know that the Book of Mormon is true. I know that our Loving Heavenly Father is a God of LOVE. He loves us so very very much. I testify that He knows us individually and is ever proud of the smallest victories we can offer. I pray that we may always have an abiding testimony of Jesus Christ. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Pics!

SKYPING YAYYYYY!!!!!! Go family!

Christmas morninggg!!!