Short and Sweet 12.6.10

Well I am staying in Elizabeth with Elder Z =D ...I'm excited! There are a lot of changes going on too, lots of changes in the Zone.  I was worried for a lil bit. But oh esta todo bien. There's lots of great things happening, baptisms on the schedule, it's a wonderful time of the year.

Crazy that my friends are starting to come home. Its weird to think. I've only got 5 transfers left at this point....prolly just 1 more area.  I have been like super sick these last few days. Like just miserable. Its been like 2 weeks now of crumminess too =/ Drives me nuts as a missionary cuz I can't just like take a big nap and say bye bye to it all. There is just too much to do.  But I love the work.

 

There have been snow flurries this morning...pretty crazy. but all is goin well. I'm out of time, it's busy.

 

...the church is true and the book is blue...

 

Much love to all :)
Elder Johnson

Missionary Miracles

On Nov 22, 2010 Elder Johnson wrote:

 

Well, I must say that this week was quite the busy week. We had leadership training meetings in morristown for a good chunk of the week, but its all good cuz those trainings lead to miracles. I would love to explain like everything that happened over this last week, but sadly time will not allow everything...so I will basically sum it all up with how crazy yesterday was for us here in Elizabeth. Prolly one of the craziest sundays ever lol.

 

Well it started off fairly normal.... well totally normal actually, just studies and what-not in the morning. And then at 9:30 we were meeting with Adela (a less active from Mexico with 3 lil family members that we're teaching) to walk with her to church... She tried last week and it didn't exactly work out lol...so we made the trip with her. And on our way Hna. Gonzalez drove past us and invited em into her car to drive them the rest of the way. It was super nice, cuz it was fairly cold and it just showed the love and support of the ward, which is perfect for adela right now.

Then we get to church and we're greeting people walking into sacrament meeting, like normal, and everything was fine and dandy. But then a visiting high councilman showed up, which really is no big deal. He actually reminded me of the time in this ward when I was called to speak in sacrament, but then a high councilman showed up and i got the shaft lol... but when I thought of that i was reminded of tuesday. See, on tuesday right after district meeting a member of the bishopric called us and asked if one of the missionaries could give a talk about missionary work in church. We were all reluctant to just jump out and be like "here am I pick me". But once I mentioned that i was going to give a talk before and still had it all written out all the other elders in the ward were like, "Elder Johnson will do it" ...*shrug* what can you do right. The only problem was that i had completely forgotten about the talk until just minutes before sacrament meeting started. I still had the talk that i wrote before, but that was on receiving personal revelation...which isn't exactly missionary work last time I checked =/ ...so I was kinda freakin out on the inside. Then sacrament started... during which I was like literally praying for help lol. I felt bad for having forgotten completely so i repented for that and asked for help. And help i got... I had scriptures come to my mind and ideas just flow and found how to take some of what I had written down and change its application to the ward/missionary work. When the sacrament was finished I was the first speaker and went on up. And according to what i hear it actually went pretty well. And one of the best parts is that I was super able to speak spanish...like sometimes i'll trip over words and just not feel like i can express what i am trying to say very well, but it just all flowed. my companion even said, it seemed very well organized and thought out. ...pretty sweet right... thanks to grace it wasn't a total fail. maybe I should totally forget about talks more often ;P lol 

So on top of that we ended up having 6 investigators at church... which i am pretty much positive is a record for me during my whole mission. It was great and they all seemed to really like it. On top of that we had some members who we have been trying to get to come for a while come. One of whom was Marta Rivera's 16 year old daughter Sandra...who is super awesome, but is going through a tough time right now. And i just felt so full of gratitude for the ward members and how they treated her... simply with love and encouragement. It really seemed like it hit the spot with her. She seemed happy and said that she is going to come again next week :) ...it was just the right medicine.

After church the madness did not end... a random inactive member down the street made some cheese pastry thing and brought it to us right after church. It was pretty good.... Then it was followed by some crazy lessons...one being with a member who is worried about the father of her children coming back and abusing them all physically. she was near tears explaining the situation and her fear... he has keys and is super violent apparently. So that was super intense to say the least. That followed by teaching a huge family that are all on different religious levels about the Plan of Happiness...which, understandably led to a lot of very good questions. they are super nice too...and gave us some peruvian cake...which in all seriousness neither of us wanted but out of kindness accepted. which was then followed by another lesson that ended with a giant glass of milk, and more pastry/cake stuff (yeah we felt pretty nasty afterwards). then the cherry on top was the Hna. Tepoz who was bent on us having a giant bowl of pig feet...but we explained to her how we had already been fed 2x that day and felt kinda sick. She still didn't let us leave without food and sent us away with apples and oranges.

Just kinda madness the whole day. so many different things going on, but it was all way good! I hope that whole ramble makes sense...I'm short on time so i kinda just took a big breath and started punching keys lol.

Anyways, hope everyone is doing great! Happy Thanksgiving :)

Elder Johnson  

Elder D. Todd Christofferson

Well hello everyone :)

 

Sadly I must be quick with this letter, time is short. But after how yesterday was I cannot avoid writing. Its pretty awesome actually.

 

First the funny part... We had an appointment with Jessica and Ricardo, some new investigators (it was our 3rd time teaching them). ...the lesson went really well actually :)... but they have someone who lives there with them, also named jessica oddly enough. We have talked with her at the door a few times but never taught her (although I'm sure we will with some time). She is prolly about 20 and she's from Uruguay. Anyways, right as we were sitting down and getting started with Jess. and Ric. (the inv's) the 20 year old Jessica was just leaving. So naturally, being polite, she says hi to us... First Elder Zierenberg and it was just a simple hand shake and "mucho gusto" ....just like nice to meet you... greeting (She hadn't ever talked with him before). And then she came and was basically like 'oh hey hows it going'  to  me. Now in the hispanic world there is the infamous besito (the lil kissy cheeky thing they always do) so she sorta slightly leaned in to receive one...and obviously us as missionaries, we do not give em...and I just shook her hand and said hey how are you. It was already kinda awkward...then she, not knowing mission rules or anything of that nature, made it even more awkward by leaning in farther, turning her face and basically saying give me a besito (but in far more polite and just like 'well go ahead and say hello' type way). So she is just like inches away from my face and I'm just kinda sitting there feeling super weird and just say something to the effect of, "we don't do that". ....ya soooo awkward you could cut it with a knife. Then she got like super embarrassed, and with a beet red face, left. I felt kinda bad, but it was also super funny. Jessica and Ricardo and Elder Zierenberg...prolly even Jess. and Ric.'s daughter were laughing super hard after she had left. Really just the weirdest lil couple of seconds ever! She like went for it twice and the second time was just like inches away from my face and literally asking for it lol. so that was the humorous side of Sunday.

 

More seriously is that we experienced stake conference. With D. Todd Christofferson from the Quorum of the 12 presiding :) ...the best part were the miracles that happened in getting our people there. It was farther away from the normal building we meet at and we had more investigators than normal in attendance. It was quite the lil day of miracles. We talked with a bunch of people the night before and we were planning on a bunch. Sadly a family couldn't come because the lil toddler was sick and grandma had to go to mass and couldn't babysit (blast mass lol). But we had Harry Lugo there, who is married to an awesome member as well as Reina Contreras there, who is the mother of a family we are teaching. The best part was that Reina brought her sister (who we had never met before) because, "if its something that will be good for me it is something that will be good for her" ...yeah how awesome is that. We didn't see her come in, but she came with a member so she had sweet support. The Spirit was so strong while Elder Christofferson testified...I mean, it is to be expected from one of Christ's Special Witnesses :) While we talked with Reina and got to know her sister after the meeting Reina said, "Here is where we are, and here is where we are going to stay" ...super awesome right? We then had all of our investigators shake the apostle's hand...I'm hoping they just felt the restored power and authority of God pulsing from his hand and know that the church is true... nice wish right.  We set up an appointment with Reina and her sister for today at 5...both of 'em have nice big families. 

Can I get an Amen??? ...talk about a miraculous Sunday.

 

Hope all is well back on the home front :)

Elder Johnson

Valencia and Moorpark Map

Elder Johnson is from Valencia, his companion, Elder Zierenberg is from Moorpark.  They are only about 30 minutes apart.  How cool to share So-Cal common ground!


Valencia: NE corner of the map
Moorpark: NW corner of the map


I'm feeling lots of future trips to the beach... 

  

Transfers and More Pix 11.1.10

Alright well hello fam.  As for just a lil update...

More than anything else, the biggest update is how transfers went.  Elder McBroom was transfered and I, much to my surprise, am training a new zone leader. His name is Elder Zierenberg (ya the hispanics have the hardest time with it lol). And get this, he's from So-Cal!  When we first started drivin home after the zone conference he asked where I'm from and I said LA. He then asked what part...and I kinda like anytime anyone asks that assumed he prolly didn't really know anything about LA so i asked if he was familiar with the area at all. And then he mentions that he's from Moorpark. Ya like a stone's throw away!  So we are practically neighbors from back home. Needless to say we've been clickin a ton. He actually has a lot of mannerisms that remind me a ton of Preston and Alex Desmet. So we've been gettin along great. I am very excited to see how these next several weeks together go. We have already had some pretty sweet lessons and I've got quite high hopes for how the area will become a couple weeks from now. 

Some kinda cool news along with that is that we had a baptism this last week. It was mainly just negligence of the ward and ignorance of her mom, but Vanessa was baptized on Sunday. She just turned 9 like 2 weeks ago today and the ward didn't know she was 8 or something before??? I dunno. So it kinda just fell into our laps. But it was sweet. We had Eric, a priest in the ward perform the ordinance and that was kinda the coolest part for me to see... Just a recent convert of a lil over a year, just sealed to his family a few months ago and he was in there performing a saving ordinance in the name of our Lord. Way sweet.


Halloween is pretty dumb as a missionary lol...we have to be in by dark =S


Cool note, we have 2 new missionaries in our zone with the recent transfers and they seem way awesome. The caliber of missionaries just seems to be getting continually better. Huge group came in this last time around and only 7 left. But the shoes of the missionaries who departed will be huge to fill. Elder Taylor and Elder Westover especially have made huge and lasting impacts on me and the mission as a whole. I am looking forward to keeping in touch with them for a very long time. They have truly shaped my mission and no doubt my life hereafter.

I find it very shocking that it is already November... blowin my mind. Startin to chill down and before we know it we'll be havin our "itis" in full fledged force (I like alliterations) on Thanksgiving.

Speaking of giving thanks, I do want to say thanks to everyone who is such a sweet support to me out here in the mission field, family and friends both mean so much.

Much Love,

Elder Johnson

I'm thinking Elder J is in the subway...

This is Ben's companion who he trained for one month before

he left for his own spanish speaking mission.  His brother was in Ben's

district at the time.  Ben LOVED Elder Halvorsen!!!  <3

Our hometown area code...yay

lost in thought waitin' patiently by the tracks

checking messages

World Cup

On the look-out as an Elder backs up

...so Elder, is it coming up?  or staying down...?

thar taint nothin like a good stretch...YEAH!

umm....I got nothin

All the food looks really good!

Bread anyone?  Anytime!

Baptism Day

An awesome family

El Salvadorians....sooo precious

~cha~cha~cha~

~Soaking in the sights~

It's new Revelation Elders!

Joisey Forevah...

Same haircut--different hairline

Thumbs up!

Street Preachin...

...or...on a soapbox...

Elder Johnson:  I OWN THIS!!

New Pics of Elder Johnson

          Oct 4, 2010

Update:

Well it was quite the busy week this last week with meetings and interviews and general conference...but such is the life of a missionary. It was quite the weekend with conference. I loved it, and have quite the newfound drive to really "keep the faith" as David always used to say back in the good ole 'Big Brother' band days--but more seriously than we tossed around the term before. I really felt a strong motivation to continually consecrate my time, skills, and talents for this great work even after my tag has been retired.

It is wild for me to think that there is only 1 more general conference that I'll have the chance to see here in the mission field. They are always like the Super Bowl for us missionaries, meaning that there is a lot of sitting watching good TV (some could even say the "best of TV" lol) and good food lol. We were taken out to a buffet saturday and sunday a lot of members brought food between the two sessions on Sunday. It was quite the treat both spiritually and physically.

We were a little bummed out though because an investigator family that was supposed to be coming on Sunday--didn't for some reason. We haven't been able to talk with 'em yet so we aren't sure what happened. It's the Contreras family...they are super awesome and we plan on having their baptismal service on the 24th of this month (its just a matter of setting the goal with them now and then working towards it). They are sincere truth seekers though and I do not doubt that they will receive a conviction of the message of the restoration and desire to be baptized by the restored authority of God. They are a pretty dang sweet family with an 8 and 13 year old still living at home with the parents... we are planning on starting to teach their other two sons who don't live too far away. Its just exciting to see them truly understand the things we have taught.

It is officially October now...so weird. And it seems like mother nature was surprised it came so quick too...we were cruisin along with very comfy climate all the way up until we hit Oct. ...now its been flat out chilly and overcast the last few days. kinda crazy. Has me a bit worried about what this winter may hold in store lol.

Well I hope everyone is doing just great...I'm excited today because we are having a Zone Pot Luck for the success we had with our last months' zone goals...gotta love some good food and basketball right?

Hope this week goes great for everyone.

Elder Johnson

**********************************************************************************************
Ben sent his latest camera card with over 450+ pictures on it.  Needless to say we LOVED each one!  ...even if we sometimes didn't know who or what was pictured.  I'll be sending a few with Ben's letters over the next few weeks.


      

This is the Elders little friend...Stuart Little

~squeak~

Rise and Shout!

ok....well maybe NEXT season...

Chocolate Roses for the Bestest Elders (Elders Johnson and Ward)

Valentines Day 2010

Cowboy Ben....(chicka bong, chicka bong)

B.E.N.....(chicka bong, chicka bong)

Remember that old song Ben?

Elder J 

ok, is he holding a PAPUSA!?!?!  

waaaaaaaaaa......we want some!

One Sweet Ride

Awwww....stars in my son's eyes... :)

...and count them ties!

On the streets in New York again, and lovin' it!

'whatchootalkinbout'

Elder Pascual and Elder Johnson

New York Temple

~The Johnson Man-Gaze ~

Elder Johnson and Elder Smurthwaite in NYC

(Elder Smurthwaite is a total kick in the pants)

Ben's Pride and Joy Trophy

My favorite pic of the bunch....what a DOLL-BABY ELDER :)

LOVE YOU BEN!

hugs, mom

Tune in for more pics next week  :)

Ben's Info and 2 letters

Ben frequently mentions that he really enjoys hearing from people at home.  His email address is:   benjamin.johnson@myldsmail.net
...And he loves it when he gets comments on his blog!

His address for letters and packages (yay!!) is:

Elder Benjamin Johnson
New Jersey, Morristown Mission

1719 Route 10 Suite #309
Parsippany, NJ 07054
Ben's last 2 letters are below.

ENJOY :)

All's Well in Elizabeth :)

September 13, 2010
Hello again everyone,

This last week has been pretty awesome back here in Elizabeth. Really weird to have schools startin back up over here. Especially the nearby colleges...just a gentle reminder that normal life is going on, lol. We were thinking about how crazy it sounds that we'd be juniors in college if we weren't here in the mission field. Last I checked thats like old! lol. But thats just how time works right? ...goes by all too fast.

Whats crazy to think is that its already 1 transfer down here in Elizabeth. My companion and I will be staying the same, and there are only 3 changes in the zone. So all in all not to much craziness happening for us. Next transfers will prove to be a little bit more interesting for several different reasons, but we've got 6 weeks before we start thinkin of that one.

The work is going pretty well for us. We are continually finding new people and using the members to do so. Member work is so helpful...even when they aren't like perfect member missionaries they are still huge helps with the investigators. It kinda gets me pumped to do my best to be the same when I'm a lil older, living on my own, gettin started on my career. It is just gonna be so much fun to keep the missionary fire alive in many ways as I start my family.  ....And speaking of families, we are teaching some pretty sweet families. We just found a couple of new ones these last few days and we're both really excited to help them progress towards eternal happiness. Cuz that is truly what it is all about right??? of course. That is one of my favorite things to tell people we teach... often they think that our purpose or our end game is to get another person in the pew or dollar in the dish at church, but it isn't. I love looking them in the eyes and telling them that our "end game" or our "goal" is their fullness of happiness which comes only through their immortality and eternal life (Moses 1:39 anyone?)  That is why it is so important for us to keep our eye single to "His glory" (namely immortality and eternal life), because if we don't then we are just like any other preacher/pastor that is only doing it to get gain. What an opportunity it is to do all I can for 2 years to simply help others and make eternal friendships.

I hope everyone is having a great time starting school back up again. Its been amazing over here. I have a feeling I am really going to like the Jersey fall after a cold winter and hot summer without much of a spring. 65-70 and sunny can stay all year round and I wouldn't complain one bit :)


Thanks so much for your support and reading my lil updates. I love you all and hope you have a great week :)

Elder Johnson

**********************************************************************************

September 7, 2010
 Hello everyone!

Hope going back to school has been going pretty well. There is a university and a lil county college here in my area so I have very much so felt a 'lil heat from the "back to school fever" ....it is surreal to me that next time the "fever" hits I'll have it in full force. But for now I'll just be chillin' here preachin' the gospel to the nations in NJ.

It was a pretty sweet week. Elder McBroom and I are gettin work done. Not that numbers really matter but we have really begun to hit our stride and we're having some great days/weeks. But numbers aside there are 2 investigators we are particularly excited about. Yasena (with a tilde on the n btw) and Alvaro (accent on the 1st "a") ...they both are on track for baptism this month. Yasena is the sister in law of an active member...whose husband now is starting to come back to church btw. She is super awesome and wants to be baptized. So she should progress fairly quick. She has been to church the last 2 weeks and seems to be assimilating really well with it all :) ...Alvaro is a lil different. He is the 21 year old father of one of the youth's baby bakin in the oven. ...they are planning on getting married here soon which is great and Sandra, the mom, is doing such a great job of dealing with it all. She has been able to see how she has made a mistake and wants to make the best of it...consequently she has moved towards marriage and bringing him to church with her. All of this and she is only 16....yes 16 (only by a few months too). I am just amazed by her maturity that has seemed to come almost instantly with these rather huge changes of the past couple weeks. Basically Alvaro and her could make a great member couple in not too long...and we're excited to help out.

A lil on the fun side of things, Elder McBroom and I went to the mall during P-day yesterday. And amidst all of the hustle and bustle of going back to school and whatnot we were able to make some rather nice tie purchases. He got two gems and I got a pretty ridiculous one myself ...we did some huntin and found some pretty good deals. It was good stuff...and totally weird to be in a mall....first time since before the mish!  The atmosphere was all too familiar.  Just everyone looked at us like we were crazy. (I wonder why? (; lol).

Anyways hope all is well with you and wish you all the best of luck with the new school year =D

Till next time,

Elder Johnson

Letter to Pres. Bahr

8.30.10

********
Ben started writing his letters this week, but soon after, the fire alarm went off in the library and his letter writing was abruptly cut short.  So I thought I'd send portions of his weekly letter to his mission president.  He send us a copy each week.  Ben is such a precious Elder :)
********

Dear President Bahr,
 
   Well the family is doing very well. Sisters are both busy with school and extra curricular activities, and my parents are getting back into the school and work groove. My mom had an interesting run in with a couple of spanish speakers this last week/  Its so interesting to be reminded that it's a foreign language. Sometimes here in the spanish program I feel like English is the foreign one.
   The area is doing well. We are really trying to get the 'escalator principle' going here and so far its been going pretty well. We have been able to set new dates, find new people, and especially have help from the members with that. Now we just need to improve on the investigators church attendance and getting them in the water and our "escalator" will be fully operational.
   Elder McBroom is a one of those missionaries that helps everyone around him be better. In the ward, zone and companionship he just helps out. He sees what needs to be done and finds a way to help out doing it in PEC and other ward meetings. We are both truly excited to see the heights where the ward members and the Lord will take these areas.
   My testimony of the role of the Spirit in the lessons has been strengthened. I know that we carry the Spirit to the hearts, but the investigators have to let it in. This was very obviously seen during a lesson this last week with a couple of investigators. We taught a single lesson to Freddy and Sindy, and it was one of the worst lessons and yet best lessons I have every taught in my mission-- all at the same time. While one was getting more and more frustrated and bothered, the other was understanding more and more and even coming to tears. One angrily and spitefully said to me, "You won't let me speak!  So, if you have anything else you would like to say, ask me first! (paraphrase/translation). While the other caught the vision of who we are and why we were there. Why such a difference? Because one of them was allowing the Spirit speak to her, while the other was completely closed and unwilling to know. He had 'no desire to know' as Alma explains in Alma 32, and could not feel the "swelling motions."
   As I have read the scriptures this last week I have found a few different places in the Book of Mormon that will be perfect to use in lessons. Places I have simply missed before, but will be perfect to use instead of the classic John 3:5 to explain the importance of baptism, or to simply use as a second witness. I love how I always catch more as I read the Book of Mormon.

Elder Johnson

Miracles Miracles Miracles

8.23.10

Hello everybody. Hope everyone had a great last week. It has been rainy here...which is good and bad depending on the moment. Sometimes its super humid and thats no fun, but we're makin it work. I imagine its sunny and beautiful back on the west ...it always is right ;)

 

Well this week was a good one. Lots of cool blessings. Mainly, we found a lot of new people to teach. We were truly led by the Spirit to find those that were willing to recieve us. 12 new investigators, which doubles the mission standard, I believe is a tie for the most I've gotten in one week my entire mission. Also, there was a day in which we had exchanges this last week and I got to serve for a day with my old MTC companion (well one of them) Elder Gamez. It was interesting to see how we have both grown as missionaries and teachers since the MTC days ~1 year ago. Keeping the cool blessings coming: I got to see the now Returned Missionary Elder (Michael) Davis this last week. He was my first companion, or my trainer/pops as some would say. He came to a sealing of a few people in the ward. It was really nice to see him and talk for a little bit, although it was weird to see him without a tag on. Another cool little blessing is learning how to make this amazing little "cheese bread" (pao de quejo) ...my spelling could be off... its a brazilian thing and its super good. But someone taught me how and I'm pretty sure I'm gonna give it a try and see how it goes. I am quite excited :)

 

In terms of the work it was a great week though. We had some great new people we found. I realized that I love youth.... mid to late teens are always willing and open to listen. We were able to teach a couple of youth and they had great questions and seemed truly interested. I am quite excited for them. On top of that, we also had two people this week invite us right in... which like never happens. One of them is sooooo prepared. He's having such a hard time in his life and is just very much so depressed and searching for peace and happiness. ...when we knocked on his door he asked us, "aren't you going to come in?" (in spanish of course). It was a great lesson. Also we were blessed with a great little tender mercy of the Lord. We were trying a few people in this one part of our area yesterday and nothing was really coming of it. We hadn't even had any good contacts or anything. I was ready to head to where we were going next and start doing our next plans, but Elder McBroom mentioned how he hates when you feel like you don't even do anything in a particular area you had planned to work in. ...so we decided to knock one more door... We looked across the door and saw three doors, and he let me pick which one we'd knock, I did. Then as we walked over he said, "alright Elder Johnson, lets see how much faith you have" and motioned for me to knock the door. As I climbed the stairs I offered a prayer in my heart that we'd be able to find someone at home and teach them, but not for our own satisfaction...rather for the Lord. We then knocked on the door and Jose let us right in. It was amazing. It truly never happens....we hadn't even said who/what we were, simply that we had felt that we needed to knock that door. We taught him and now we have a return appointment. Even prayers in the heart are heard and answered.

 

Hope your all doing great! 

Much Love,

Elder Johnson 

Short and Sweeeeety

Well i don't have much time left but i did want to check in just quickly...

 

Transfers came and I am in Elizabeth...which i kinda guessed I would be. I am sooooo excited! I am with an Elder McBroom, we were in the same ward back in West New York, and we are so excited. Both of us are young Zone Leaders so it's gonna be an interesting transition/learning experience. He and I even used to joke around about being Zone Leaders together back in WNY...lol. We are both super excited and already know we get along solid.  Being a zone leader is a little bit different from being a district leader....a lot more administration rather than ministration. Kinda overwhelming for Elder McBroom and I because he has only been a Zone Leader for 1 transfer...so he's super new at this too. We are both going to get the hang of it however.  Basically everything is going really well here and I hope nothing but the same for all of you...

 

Random fact: Kean Univesity is here in my area....I heard a lot about Kean Uni from Kathryn back at BYU--she being from the east had a few friends attending. I didn't know it was even in NJ and now its in my area. Small world right? 

 

Anyways I wanted to drop a quick line, sorry it couldn't be more... till next week  :)

 

Elder Johnson

 

ps-my area is so huge in comparison to what i'm used to (walking areas all the time before) ...its pretty overwhelming.  At least I'm in a car :)

Zone Leader :)

August 2, 2010

Hello everyone!!! Well it is just a great week here in Newark...I think part of the reason why is because I just learned I am leaving :) ...Getting transfered tomorrow and still dont know where it is I am going for sure. But I have a few things pointing to going to Elizibeth (also a city area...woo hoo urban jungles). Don't get me wrong though, its not that I hate Newark...its just after 6 months the Ward/Area have taken their toll on me and I feel very much so excited to go somewhere new. 

 

I actually am slightly surprised as well because of a call I received last night. President Bahr called me and asked me to serve as a Zone Leader... I am really excited, and feel pretty honored because Zone Leaders are always the Elders that I have looked up to my whole mission. Plus, I have loved being a District Leader and I imagine that Zone Leader is more of the same opportunity to help/serve...which I love doing.

 

Besides that it was basically just a big "detour week" ....thats what we've been saying at least. With the weirdness of the 2 areas being covered and odd exchanges and stuff...plus the oddity of near constant road work and literal detours just made it "detour week" here in Newark. ...fairly normal in terms of the work though.

 

We started teaching an unbaptized little brother of a member who wants to be baptized and will be aug. 15th ....that was way exciting :)

 

Random weird tid bit...one day we met a man who said he was God and saw another in a news paper that aparently was Jesus Christ. We were one member short from meeting, in person, the entire trinity! ...Newark is just crazy lol.

 

Anyways its busy here at the library today and I'm getting the boot... =/ Much love though! Talk to ya later,

 

Elder Johnson

Elder Halvorsen goes home!

Well hello everybody...

 

Yet another week has gone by. Its rather crazy to think of. Elder Halvorsen, with whom it feels I have just begun to serve, heads home today. His 1 month mini-mission comes to a close and he heads home for Utah at 3:30 today. This actually causes some interesting changes here for me because the next transfer cycle doesn't happen for another two weeks. I am going to be combined with Newark 'The Oranges' for the next two weeks and as a trio we are going to work the two areas. It is a big change since it means I have to move, but it will be good.  Elder Smurthwaite and Elder Ruano are awesome missionaries and I'm super excited to have the chance to serve/learn from them.

 

Kinda an interesting little tid bit of the craziness of Newark...on Tuesday we were trying to get home from our interviews with the president and we hit major traffic. Like out of this world (5 miles in 2 hours). It was less than fun, especially considering that our CD player in the car didn't work so we didn't even have good ole Mormon Tabernacle Choir to numb the mind. It was literally crazy. We ended up finding out later that it was because somebody was murdered on the 21 (the highway we were trying to take)... Kinda crazy to think something like that happened so close to where we live. The world truly is a crazy place these days.

 

On a lighter note... the Portuguese elders were over in our apartment for a little bit helping me out with a little favor and they saw a picture of the family. They commented on it and whatnot... then the one from brazil, Elder Calderoni (he's way aweome...he came out the same time I did) said, "Your sister... She is nice" ...it was super funny. Just cuz it was in his voice and accent and everything. So I say to Emma...you should write Elder Calderoni lol. He's super cool...but coolest part, he's from Brazil! Brazilians are super cool lol. ...I ended up actually asking them how old they thought my sister was and they collaborated (all three of em) and came up with 19. Needless to say they were pretty surprised when I said she was 14 in that picture. But yes, Emma has a brazilian who thinks she's "nice" lol. And brazilians are known for being "nice" as well lol. ...anyways, just a random fun story.

 

As for the work, we have been doing a ton of finding this last week. Like running ourselves ragged it seems. But, its been good. We have some amazing potentials lined up with appointments. One woman, Veronica, was probably the coolest experience. She literally lit up when we said that there was a prophet on the earth today to lead and guide us. She had expressed how she had studied a lot of other things but all of them seem to contradict themselves and in some cases just dont make sense (she cited Catholicism and Jehovah's witnesses) and just didn't know where to turn. It was exhilarating to be able to look her in the eyes and tell her that the church that Christ himself established had been restored to the earth. We ended up teaching a lesson right there on the front porch. I am very excited to meet with her again and begin teaching that whole family.

 

Well that basically does it for a quick update on how I'm doing.... I always feel like there are so many things I want to mention, but when I get to the computer its like I can't remember my whole week lol. Hope you are all having a great summer!

Elder Johnson

United NJ Mission Conference

7.12.10

Well hello yet again everyone :)  Pretty crazy week this last week lots of big deal stuff happened.

 

First of all, we are officially integrated (Both NJ missions). We had a big mission conference to help us boost our unity and get to know each other and whatnot. It was really sweet actually. We had a professional motivational speaker guy come and speak.  He gets paid to help big businesses learn how to make more money...he gets paid a lot. So he was super awesome. Also there were very cool trainings and interactive things of that nature (kinda the norm there at mission conf's).  There were a lot of new missionaries coming in from down south and they all seem pretty awesome. Pretty exciting time here in the NJMM.

 

On top of that, we got new phones. But not just like a new rock of a phone, but like a phone!  Its crazy. These things are the nicest phone i've ever had. And we are one of ten "test missions" to see how these phones work out. Along with the new phones we have also been given texting (which the NJMM has never had before). Its crazy sending and receiving texts again...its been over a year lol. But in all seriousness they are going to be great for the work. Efficiency with little things is going to skyrocket.

 

Another kinda random weird thing was that I fainted on thursday... It was super weird lol. I woke up and started praying and during my prayer I felt like this super weird pain in my lower abdomen...so naturally I was like woah this is odd. So I began to pray for that and then the next thing I knew was I was sprawled out face first on our floor and my companion was walking back into the room. My head and knee hurt super bad and I felt like I was going to puke... It was really odd, because to my recollection that is the 2nd time i've ever fainted. I am still super confused by it, but i feel fine (except my knee still kinda hurts a lil bit). I had a super funny lookin rug burn on my forehead for a few days too lol. But ya, kinda weird and random *shrug*

 

As for kinda weird, as a missionary-type experience we had this last week--Anthony has to take the cake.  He invited us right in and sat us down and asked us to tell him what it is we bring as ministers of Christ. ...that like never happens... So we did lol. We went through talking about the Restoration of the Gospel and he seemed to really enjoy it. He has studied the Bible like crazy and knows his stuff...but isn't a crazy pentecostal or JW =D ...just someone who has already had his life so greatly effected by Christ (and that's without the fullness of the gospel). And after we get through the lesson he says, "you've entertained me and now its about time I entertain you" ...and he walks off into another room. ...I'll be honest I was really confused as to what he could be doing lol. We heard weird noises of stuff being shuffled around and that sorta thing and then he comes back with a 12 string acoustic guitar and says, "I've been playing contemporary christian music for about four years and I wanted to play a song for ya" ... "this one's called 'More Mercy'" and he starts playing this song. It was really funny at first (mainly cuz it was like super country sounding and his voice was like super twangy) but it was full on the way that he expresses himself. It was obvious that he was pouring out his soul through the music... and the coolest thing is that it magnified the Spirit that was there. We are going back to see him on wed. but we'll have to pass him off to the english elders after that. It was super cool though. ...random tid bit too...he offered like the two most tempting things anyone could offer me 1) he said that I should come over with a bass and we should play...and having not played bass in forever i'd love to lol and 2) he invited us to go to a gym as his guests for free.....he is a personal trainer and I mentioned how much I love going to the gym. It was kinda crazy that those 2 would prolly be the biggest temptations for me and he offered both lol. But what was interesting to see is how little of temptations they were. "No more desire to do evil" is what the verse in the Book of Mormon says...not that I would call those things evil. But I have no desire to break said mission rules. ...which was kinda cool to see.

 

Anyways hope everyone is doing fabulous. 

Till next week,

Elder Johnson

HALF WAY :) but who's countin 'cept my mom

July 6, 2010

Hello everybody...and happy 4th of July! It was a little crazy here in Newark during the holiday weekend. Lots more drunk people out and about.  ...Well out and about at nights (during the days its been breakin 100 lately).  And the smell of BBQ was rampant throughout all the land it seemed. Made sundays fast less than enjoyable =/   but all is well. People had tons of real crazy fireworks too...bigger and cooler than anything we ever got a hold of back in Cali. ...it was quite tempting to want to play. What is crazy to think is that this 4th of July is the 2nd one i've had as a missionary...officially it has been more than 1 year in the service of my Lord and Savior. Its so weird for me to think because it feels like not too long ago that I was gettin those papers in and awaiting my call...then boom. Time happens.

Elder Halvorsen and I are getting along super well...its going great. Even though its been super hot like every day its been even better than bearable with this Elder  :) I'm really bummed he leaves in just 2 more weeks.  He and I kinda celebrated our 1/2 way mark on the same day (sat)...it is close enough to half way for both of us. We ordered a big bandeja paisa from a colombian restaurant (steak, sausage, eggs, chicharon, avacado, platanos maduros, fries and a ton of rice) and started off our fast with a bang :)   My companion really likes rice lol.

As for the work, things went well. Its really tough to find people at home as of late with the world cup and it being summer time (summer = more work). But the many lessons we've had have been great. Elder Halvorsen is getting so much better at teaching and he is so amazing at following the Spirit. He just needs to speak up a little more and he'll be a pro. I'm pumped to hear about him rippin it up down in Chile when he gets there.

So we officially have combined with the Cherry Hill mission here in Jersey...we are having a big combined mission conference and mini-transfer conference tomorrow actually. I'm very excited to go and to meet a lot of new people and be fed (both spiritually and literally....conference lunches are always awesome).

Hope you all have great weeks planned. Hope its not too hot over there... And hope you're all likin the dry heat (humidity flat out stinks) lol. Enjoy the summer while it lasts...they always go way too fast.

Elder Johnson

Loving This!

6.28.10

 

Well no sense in beating around the bush this week...the most exciting news of the week is my brand new trainee. His name is Elder Halvorsen, from Pason Utah *shrug* lol, he has 2 older brothers that served missions (well one is currently serving, better said) and he hasn't ever been to the MTC... Yup, lol. He came straight from Utah to NJ to start a month long mini-mission. So he hasn't really had any spanish teaching in the MTC, nor has he had any Preach my Gospel training in the MTC... Pretty crazy right? The reason why is because his older brother, oddly enough named Elder Halvorsen as well =P, that is currently serving a mission is actually serving his mission right here in NJ. And my trainee Elder Halvorsen starts his mission (called to serve in Chile) 7 days before the older Elder Halvorsen goes home. So, they were able to work out this amazing opportunity to serve a mini-mission here in NJ for 1 month so that the brothers don't go 4 years without seeing each other. So pretty crazy, because my brand new missionary is far more brand new than normal lol... But its going great. There is just sooooo much that I want to teach him...things from PMG, things about spanish and simply how to be a missionary...and there is sooooo little time. Normally transfers last for 6 weeks, but he will only be here with me for one month. So he is on an accelerated course, so to speak, and apparently I am a qualified teacher??? ...I didn't think I was even credentialed lol. He is great though. We get along really well, as does our whole apartment (there is another brand new missionary with us as well). I'd be lying if I said that the training wasn't exhausting, but it is oh so fulfilling as well. Every prayer that he has said since thursday (when I taught him how to pray in spanish) has just been such an amazing progression...and so amazing for me to see as the teacher. I can see how amazing the MTC must be for the teachers there...I very much so feel like an MTC teacher recently, but what an opportunity it has been.

 

Speaking of MTC teachers, I totally thought of Hna. Lambson this last week... We kinda nearly got mauled by this huge pit-bull. Explaining the situation fully is basically impossible without being able to see the scene in which it happened, but it was crazy. It made me think of Hna. Lambson because she always told us old stories of dogs bitting her back when she was in Bolivia. I must admit, it was really freaky...this HUGE pit-bull wanted blood. And when its owner tried to hold it back it was even chompting at his hand. It was pretty crazy. ....I realize that the full severity cannot really be realized without a big explanation, but take my word for it...it was scary.

 

I must admit, it feels as if this last week just flew by... There have been a lot of parties going on in North Newark recently...we actually got intived into one to grab some food by a random guy I say hi to every time I see him. We were on the way home and I said hi like normal and he said, "you guys hungry?" ... "c'mon" ...so he takes us back to this party with the weirdest array of party-goers (like elementary school kids to drunk adults) ...I felt super out of place lol. Everyone was looking at us super weird. Now my companion, who just days before was a normal person back in utah, prolly didn't feel that weird...but I felt super odd lol. The food was really good though. We didn't eat it there, we just took it home. Gotta love them Puerto Ricans :)

 

It has been hot, but we're gettin by. I imagine its kinda heatin up everywhere by now. ...the really annoying thing is that people rarely have air conditioning around here...so you come out of your lessons and walk outside into the 90-95 degree weather and it feels great lol.

 

As for investigators things aren't terrible but could be better... They just kinda need to be prodded into action sadly... All I hope and pray for is that the Spirit will be with us as we teach to do the needed prodding. I know that neither my companion nor I are able to prod...all we can do is let the Spirit work "Spiritual photosynthesis" upon the Light of Christ within our investigators.

 

I hope you are all doing great and absolutely loving summer time...where the livings easy ;) Happy July 4th to everyone! I will be celebrating vicariously through all of you...so make it a good one for me :)

 

Elder Johnson

TRAINING! (for real this time)

6.21.10

 

Well hope everyone had a great week. It has been officially hot here. Yesterday was killer in a suit, and there is a room in our "chapel" that doesn't have working AC ...it was 85 during elders quorum .....with very high humidity!  Ya. But all in all, it was a sweet (or perhaps sweat) week.

 

We had an awesome trip to the temple on wednesday. Lucky for us Penn. Station is right near by so we just take a 'lil train called the path into NYC...its super easy. We walked through time square and all that. An elder and I switched cameras for the whole adventure so there are a lot of random pictures that he got of me...its super fun. I'm plannin on trying to get all those sent home so all can see soon.  Speaking of cool pics, we went to "the wall of fame" earlier today. Basically it is just a ton of grafiti all over this one wall. Some amazing looking stuff, truly artistic. So i've got some cool pics of that as well.

 

By the way...I am soooo interested in the world cup now. Thanks to a lot spanish speaking missionary service lol. But I can't wait to keep up on soccer when I actually can. Its super annoying with the World Cup going on, cuz just like nobody answers doors during the games. However, it makes it pretty easy to begin talking with random people... "Who won today?" ...and they light right up lol.

 

We had a sweet all mission conference too...it was way fun. It is always nice to see all the missionaries you know (and at this point I actually know a lot as opposed to before when I felt like I knew nobody).

 

Well some cool news, very similar to the news from 6 weeks ago (lol), I am going to be training this transfer. I'm super excited. I should be meeting my new missionary tomorrow morning. Hopefully I can be what he needs me to be.  Another Elder in my apartment will be training also, so I am really looking forward to this transfer.  

 

As for investigators this last week things have been kinda haulted...kind of a bummer. But we're gonna be kickin it into high gear this next transfer. I'm expecting so at least. There are just so many investigators that either need to make the changes now or we need to let them go. Its a tough time, especially when they are people you have grown to love so much. But all will be well. One cool thing is that we set a new baptismal date this last week...with Oscar Mejia...he's way awesome, from Nicaragua. He truly wants to change. So we are very excited to help him do so :)

 

I have decided that I love teaching...I got to teach the youth class this last Sunday and just really have a great time up in front of everyone teaching and seeing their faces light up when they like the lesson. ...I'd still be way down with teaching history in high school lol...after a long and lucritive career in whatever other field I end up selecting :) ....good plan right? lol

 

Anyways hope all you had great fathers days...it was a lil crazy here (just meant more drunk people than normal out on the roads). Made it a 'lil tough to do the work at night but its all good. Hope you all have a great week this week too.

Thanks so much for being so awesome :)

Elder Johnson