I am not crazy, and it doesn't matter what this man says or thinks about my testimony, no matter how much he tries to demean truth, Truth is STILL truth. and NEVER changes!

So my whole mission I've been very very blessed!

Heavenly Father knows that I do not like contention!!! And I do not like contentious people!

And alllll of my mission I've been blessed with not having mean crazy people hunt me down and bible bash!Cept........................last week!

It wasn't really that bad, but I found this man very absurd........here's why

So we're super late to district meeting and we're walking around and this man stops us and says "Oh mormons!" then he starts telling us that we're wrong and we're misled and he said

"You are absolutely absurd to believe what you believe! You'd have to be absolutely insane to think you're right!"

He went on to name off a list of some of our beliefs but exaggerated and defiled them. He said some very terrible things that I wouldn't dare repeat. He told us this list of things we "believe"

I was very tempted to say some nasty things back but I knew better. I was pretty proud of myself though! As he was spewing these anti mormon things I could think of billions of Scriptures to debunk every lie. It was pretty cool! But that's not the point.

I knew he wouldn't listen, my companion and I tried to defuse these lies but he just was not listening... and I knew there was no point. not to mention we were super late!

I learned something very powerful from Preach My Gospel that has blessed my entire mission. So I've never been a scripture wiz, everrr!!!!! Before I came out I couldn't name all the books in the book of mormon! But what I can do is bear my testimony!

Our testimony trumps everything, It is difficult to battle a sincere and heartfelt testimony shared by someone and then the confirming and powerful witness of the Holy Ghost also brings feelings of love and Godliness. But only if the other person is receptive...he...was definitely not!

But I stood there and raised my hand, he let me speak, and as sincerely as I could I bore a short, but powerful testimony of my witness of Jesus Christ.

I said "I testify to you, that I KNOW Jesus Christ Lives!.................But we're very late and we have to go!"

The man laughed with us and we were able to leave on a good note. 

I don't think he felt anything from that witness. But I sure know that I did. I felt the Spirit so strong as I testified to this man. And I know that I am not crazy, nor am I absurd. I am not crazy, and it doesn't matter what this man says or thinks about my testimony, no matter how much he tries to demean truth, Truth is STILL truth. and NEVER changes! 

My companion later told me of a funny analogy of that experience with that man. He compared it to a pet owner yelling at his cat. "DOG! you are a DOG!!!!!!!"

No matter how hard that person yells....it's still going to be a cat!

And that's how God's Truth is! and His Promises! They NEVER change! and I know that God is real and Alive! 

So is the Savior Jesus Christ, and I testify He loves us and LIVES. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Elder Johnson

pics!!! 

We helped someone move... and we found cool pointy things!!! Just kidding, it wasn't pointy at all, but we still had fun! it was SAFFFEEE!!! don't worry :)

I have used this promise, and I know it is true. The Holy Ghost told me so and I will never deny what I know.

Hello friends and family!

When people find out you're going home in a few weeks they freak out and ask you a billion questions about home and whatnot. And my first thought is "why do you hate mee!!!!!"

Just joking though, it's just really sad to think that my mission is coming to a close.

This last week was my last Zone Conference, during a missionaries last ZC they are asked to give a final testimony in front of the other missionaries. 

When I went up 99% of it was just pure laughter hahah. Some lovely ladies from Relief Society came and helped prepare our lunches and as I was testifying there was an eruption of laughter from down the hall. So I was standing bearing my testimony.

"And I know. That God loves each of us!"

*laughter*

I pointed over to the hall.

"And so do THEY!"

hahahahahaha. It was really funny. The Spirit was super strong though when I got serious and testified. The Spirit was super strong.

So, I wanted to share my testimony with you.

From my heart, I testify that I know Jesus Christ really and truly does live. He is a real person, and He is real. I know that God is real. I know that He loves us more than we can comprehend. I know that He wants us back home and has brought forth the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to help us do so. He called Joseph Smith as a Prophet of God to be that messenger. And as evidence to the truthfulness of the Restoration God has also brought forth the Book of Mormon. One can read and ponder its message and pray and ask God in the name of Christ if it is true. Those who pursue this course and ask in faith will receive a witness by the Holy Ghost that it is indeed true.

I have used this promise, and I know it is true. The Holy Ghost told me so and I will never deny what I know. 

I know Jesus Christ is the ONLY way back home, He IS the way, the Light and the LIFE. He is truth. And He will never leave us comfortless. Ever.

I know this Work is true, and it is real. I know it, and I know that God knows it.

In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Elder Johnson.

What is the difference of fear and courage?

This week was fantastic!!!!!

but any who, I wanted to share a neat insight that I got from my studies!

Okay, so this is similar to my moldy peach analogy!

Without confession we cannot receive forgiveness.

The Atonement is like rain. Hiding our sins and not confessing them is like throwing a tarp over them.

The Atonement can only touch the sins that are confessed.

Fortunately, even if we are afraid, the Atonement will help us UN hide our sins and confess them too. The Atonement will pour into us the strength and courage needed to face our fears and come clean. 

Coming clean is one of the happiest joys one can feel because of the infinite availability of the Atonement of Christ.

What is the difference of fear and courage?

Courage is still feeling afraid, but choosing the right regardless :)

Love you!!  have a great week!    

Elder Johnson

We do not need to be worthy to pray, or read, or go to church. It's the OPPOSITE. Those very things help us BECOME worthy.

Hey there!!!!!!!

So! Elder Watkins has been transferred to Lancaster! And my new comp is Elder Jake Story! From Orem Utah. 

He's been out for 17 months!  He's super high energy and very friendly and optimistic!  Okay. I know this is long, but I PROMISE it's worth reading!

So this Sunday at church there was a woman that came that I've never seen before. I greeted her and then didn't think anything of it. After sacrament I was headed toward the door to go to class, but the back area was too crowded, I ended up cutting through the middle section of benches and bumped into her again. I felt a prompting that I needed to speak with her. We talked a little and I asked her if she normally attended at this building. She told me that she hadn't been to church in a long time and was currently going through very difficult things.

 It broke my heart to hear of the pain and burden she was carrying. I encouraged her and told her she could do it. She ended up coming into Sunday school with another woman, who I later discovered was her visiting teacher, who brought her to church. I'm confident that were it not for her visiting teacher this less active woman would not have chosen to come to church and ask for help. As we were walking to Gospel Principles the teacher came by and said they had to leave church, he asked me to teach......talk about being thrown under the bus! I silently prayed that the Spirit would guide me and teach those in the class what they needed to hear. 

This less active woman and her visiting teach were already sitting in class and a few others as well. We began with a prayer and I started to read about final judgment. As I taught I felt impressed to share something and I somehow managed to connect it with judging haha so it was smoother but anywho. I said "It frightens me when people think they are not worthy to pray, or read, or go to church. It frightens me when they think they are not worthy to feel God's love or receive His blessings. Yes, there is a standard of worthiness, and we are oft interviewed for those purposes. the bishop, stake pres or whoever is ordained and given that authority to judge and determine our worthiness. He is also set apart to help us make correct choices. But it is all in love. 

The bishop or whomever doesn't yell and scream at us that we're failures, rather he hugs us and encourages us to make correct choices and I'm confident that he too is praying for your success and for guidance of the Spirit to know how God would like us to receive help. That is Christ's way, and Christ is no different with what He thinks of us. He loves us perfectly, and He is ALWAYS encouraging, not discouraging. He is LOVE, and He invites us and directs us to follow Him. We do not need to be worthy to pray, or read, or go to church. It's the OPPOSITE. Those very things help us BECOME worthy. 

As I said those words I felt the Spirit really strong dumping from me into her.  After church I saw her sitting outside the bishops office, us 4 missionaries were close by so we decided to say hello and talk a bit. She told us she was getting her self back into gear and needed to stop being lazy about it, that salvation is in her hands. I encouraged her the best I could, while it is wonderful of her choices, it made me sad to see how harshly she was treating herself. That was something to be celebrated! Not something that we'd say "well it's about time you failure!" That is definitely NOT what Christ would do. He would celebrate. Anywho, as we spoke she was called into a room and left for a few minutes. As we waited Sister Beutler, one of the sister missionaries leaned over and said "I think she could really use a blessing! Maybe you Elders could go over sometime and give her one?"

I agreed wholeheartedly! And I told her I'd ask her if she would like one. As we were speaking Bro Nelson called for Elder Story and I. He said "Elders I need you, could you help me give a blessing?"

We agreed. My jay dropped and I looked at the sister missionary who had a similar expression. We stepped into the room and there was this woman sitting. There was a beautiful Spirit in the room, it was precious. Bro Nelson offered a beautiful blessing. In tears she hugged him and thanked us for our time.  It was a beautiful experience that I won't soon forget. I pray for her.

I definitely know that Christ is ever aware of us. God does know us! It would surprise you how well He knows you. He knows us better than we do. He also knows when someone is in need, and He knows how to help them. Oh how He loves us. This is just Elder Johnson's doctrine and I don't have scriptures for this, but my personal opinion, is the reason mortals can't bear the presences of God without being translated is because He loves us so much that if we were fully in its presence we'd be incinerated immediately. He DOES LOVE US.

I so testify, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. 

 Elder Johnson

I ALSO know, that when the Spirit is the teacher....Miracles abound in great abundance.

Story time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Last Thursday we went on team ups with Bro Stapleton. The first person we tried wasn't home, but my companion suggested trying Bro E. We agreed and headed over. He's kind of a gruff man, he was in the military and is a little head strong, but very loving and kind. In the past I only met with him once, usually he says their busy and tells us to call first.

As we knocked on the door I was afraid he wasn't going to let us in again, but he greeted us warmly and invited us in. 

As we chatted I prayed fervently to know what we might share to best help our brother come back into the church. I didn't feel any guidance. But I knew to still have faith. As we kept talking I kept worrying, how can we help him! And How do we get this conversation to get there! The opportunity arose and I seized it quickly. I began to share a wonderful and beautiful experience that I had a few months before. 

We went and visited a less active woman Sis S, her sister J has severe Cerebral Palsy, so Sis S takes care of her constantly. J can't move very well and can't form words. But She smiles from ear to ear! and She is so happy and cheery. When we were visiting Sis S I thought of bringing my violin, but as the lesson ended it was time to start heading home, I didn't think we'd have time for me to play a song for Sis s and J. I kept thinking about how we needed to go, but for some reason I never brought up that we needed to leave. Neither did my companion. 

Later when we left, he told me that he too was worrying about leaving, but while sitting into his mind he heard a voice quoting the Prophet. into his mind he heard

"Never let a problem to be fixed, be more important than a person to be Loved."

Soon enough, J who was sitting in her wheel chair wheeled herself down the hall to come and say Hi. She was smiling so big. She was so happy to see us. I asked if I could play a song for J. Sis S was thrilled as well as J. I pulled out my violin, I knew which song to play.

Before I play, I always have a buzz of anxiety and worry. What if I forget the notes! what If I mess up! 

As I set the bow down on the string ready to play. I completely forgot how to play this song. My mind was blank, I forgot the notes. ....AHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I said a prayer in my heart, asking for help. In response I remembered the first note is an F Sharp. I placed my finger down, and leapt forward in faith. 

I played I Am a Child of God in perfection. Not a single note was out of tune or misplaced.

I looked at J.  Tears, running down her cheeks.

She could not properly speak, but with the sounds she made I could tell what she was saying.

"Thank you, Thank you, Thank you."

I shared this story with Bro E. I could see the Spirit had touched his heart. The Spirit was very strong. I knew he could feel it. He said he knew he needed to come to church, and said himself he was unsure why he didn't go. It was a beautiful experience. I don't know if he really will come back in the immediate future, but this I know. God SENDS each of us to those that we can have the largest and deepest impact.

I ALSO know, that when the Spirit is the teacher....Miracles abound in great abundance. Were it not for the Spirit, I don't think Bro E would have come to that wondrous conclusion. But I know that the Spirit softened this man's heart, and God made His invitation clear, that His arms are "outstretched still". I know that God loves us. And It breaks His heart to see us hurt, in pain, or living contrary to His Gospel. Even when we slip into disobedience, God's arms are "Outstretched still" and He will always welcome the Repentant sinner. He did for me, and He will for all. 

D&C18  

10 Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God;

 11 For, behold, the Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him.

 12 And he hath risen again from the dead, that he might bring all men unto him, on conditions of repentance.

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

I testify God welcomes all who repent. I testify there is NO place too far or dark, that the Savior cannot rescue you. I testify turning to Christ is the Greatest Joy in all this world, And I speak from my own life, that the Atonement is real, and is ever available. 

The Atonement is INFINITE and never runs out. There is no limit upon the Atonement and how often we can use it. There is no meter that fills up saying we have run out of chances to repent. Never. The Atonement is Infinite and will help us overcome every weakness, as well as the weaknesses not related to sin.

 I so Testify in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. 

with Love,   Elder Johnson

"Can you tell me something that will heal me?” We said "Absolutely!"

ahhhh!!!! OKay CRAZY MIRACLE TIME!!! here's 2!

So remember R? He was the one that I met in at Sis S’s home and asked him to be baptized after 10 minutes of knowing him? Story time! 

So every tues and thurs we do splits with 2 people from the elders quorum. And on tues Bro F and Mc were supposed to come. The night before when we were planning for the day to come, I thought "hmmm, what if Bro F cancels?" But he never cancels....like EVER. He always takes one of us to do some home teaching. But I kept having that thought. Sis S came to my mind, so I scribbled her down thinking "okay this could be inspired?" 

Then I TOTALLY and COMPLETELY forgot about it. 

So tues comes around and we're heading to the church to do splits, when Bro F calls and cancels!!!!!!!!! So we called Bro McBride to see if he was still coming. And he said yes, and also said he had his 16 yr old son with him! Bingo! Splits are still on! So we get to the church and Bro M and his son are there. We told him Bro F cancelled and he said oh! okay, one of you can go with my son! And we're like "mwaahahah that's what we wanted" But we just said yes instead haha.

So I'm with Bro Mc and he says "So where are we headed!" Then I was like....shoot, I thought you had people.... SO we try to figure out something as we're driving. Then I thought of Sis S, still forgetting that I planned her name the night before. We start heading over there. On the way I asked "Do you know where she lives?"   "Nope.......do you?" 

"Nope." hahaha. So he decided we'd try someone else, but on the way we passed the street that sis s lives on! And I quickly told him to turn around so we could go see her. So we get there and there's a ford focus in the drive way. And Sis s can't drive.....

I said "If that's Rick I'm going to cry!"

AND LO AND BEHOLD! It was him! That morning I also asked that we'd be sent to where He needed us to be!

It was a great lesson! Then Sis S gave us a referral for her neighbor who lost her husband last sunday.

miracle two, L

So the next day we were out and about and Elder Watkins asked "Where to?" I said, let's go contact that referral! Immediately after this decision I felt MILLIONS of doubts and fears dump into my brain. I firmly declared "WE ARE GOING AND THAT'S THAT!" 

During the car ride we role played our approach to this woman who lost her husband, trying to be as loving and caring as we could. I was the missionary, and Elder Watkins pretended to be her. it went well! But I was SO nervous! I PLEADED AND BEGGED Heavenly Father that it would all work out. I said "Throw a shoe at me! or shoot me with lightning if I'm going to say the wrong thing!! Just please don't let us mess this up!!!!!"

When we parked she already spotted us and was walking towards us. We came out and introduced ourselves. She said EXACTLY WHAT ELDER WATKINS SAID IN THE ROLE PLAY. WORD. FOR. WORD. She then quickly declined and said she was going through a hard time. Elder Watkins testified that the Gospel has brought him answers and peace. L looked up and asked.

"Can you tell me something that will heal me?”  We said "Absolutely!"

She invited us over to her porch and we began answering her questions about life after death. She told us she felt so much peace and love from what we were saying. We told her it's not from us, but it is the Spirit of God giving her that peace. She smiled from ear to ear. 

I would give anything for you to see her countenance change as we spoke with her. Her hard look and broken smile melted away as we taught. And she indeed was "healed"

Please pray for L!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We want to meet with her again!!!!!!!!!

I know this Church is truer than true. I know that God is real, more importantly He Loves us perfectly. I know Christ is truly the Son of God and through Him we can be cleansed from sin through repentance. I know it. I know the Plan of Salvation is REAL. And DOES heal the broken. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. 

Elder Johnson

Pic! The Lord works by "small & simple things" He chooses to work through US!

 Make a wish! 

Have hope!

"If I could serve a mission again, I'd do it in a heart beat" I testify, that their is NO joy greater than that of sharing the GOSPEL!

Okay, so it's not about the numberssss, but I just wanted to toot our horn! OUR HARD WORK'S BEEN PAYING OFFFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So not saying how much, but our district alone taught about half of the lessons in our entire zone!!!

Is that crazy or what!!!!!!!!  Also we taught more lessons this week than any other week since I got here!!! yayyy!!!!!!!

Anywho. I"m doing SUPER!!! My face is 98% better!!! 

Just tin tiny miniscule things, but I can function normally now!!!!! Take that bell's palsy!!  

Skyping was AWETHOMMMEE!!   And thanks for the birthday wishes!!! 

My bday was yesterdayyy!!  (May10)  I'm now 14!   Kidding, I'm now 20! 

but 14 at heart!

I sure have loved my mission. It hasn't fully hit me yet, but I know I'm going to miss it so much.

I was privileged to be raised by wonderful and amazing parents. They are spiritual GIANTS!!!! and their stories of how they came to the church are amazing. 

Their sincere desire to serve carried them into the mission field in Korea, where they both met as missionaries. And my Sister April is now serving in Korea, and is constantly bumping into people that knew my parents as missionaries.

My parents always talked about their missions, something I forever treasure. They both told me this all of my life,

"If I could serve a mission again, I'd do it in a heart beat"

I admire how much they truly loved their missions. And their love for missionary service carried me into the field as well, and I can say in pure and total honesty.  "If I could serve a mission again, I'd do it in a heart beat"

I testify, that their is NO joy greater than that of sharing the GOSPEL! I know it! 

I KNOW God lives, He's real, He loves us, I know Christ lives, and He too is ever aware and ready to serve and help us. I know that this Church is True, I testify the Book of Mormon is true as well. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Elder Johnson